COVID 19 Crisis: National Service Scheme recalls personnel in health services sector to duty
All National Service Personnel in the health services sector, who took the mandatory one-month leave upon the advice of the Scheme, following the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country, have been asked to return to their post with immediate effect, a notice from the Western Regional Directorate of the Scheme has indicated.
The National Service Scheme (NSS) on March 24, 2020 issued notices to all its regional and district directors, with reference to a recommendation by the Public Services Commission, to grant all service personnel a mandatory one month leave which begun Thursday 26 March and scheduled to end on April 2020.
Graduate Nurses and Midwifes who were due for posting in the 2020/2021 service year were also advised to stay at home, as all operations for the processing of placement were suspended.
But recognizing the exigencies of the services of these health professionals in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the country, the Ministry of Health in a release signed by the sector Minister indicated that they are in collaboration with the NSS, requesting all nurses, midwifes and other frontline health workers who have taken the mandatory leave to return to post, and thus urged those currently at work to remain.
Director of NSS, Western Region, Okatakyie Amankwaa Afrifa in an interview with Skyy News, urged graduate nurses and midwifes who are due to commence their 2020/2021 national service to report to their various agencies to commence their service as required on Thursday, 1st April, 2021.
All other personnel in health institutions are also to resume work immediately to help in the spread and prevention of the coronavirus pandemic. He also urged heads of Institutions not to release personnel engaged in essential duties in their institutions for the leave.
