The nationwide strike, which lasted almost a week, disrupted services in public health facilities, but it was called off after the committee’s intervention.
In an interview on Citi Eyewitness News, Dr. Afriyie emphasized that the committee’s cooperative and constructive posture played a key role in defusing tensions.
“We were a very solid, organised team, and we know their rights,” he remarked.
He further acknowledged that the nurses’ demands were justified, stating that other healthcare professionals had already signed revised conditions of service under the previous government.
“Nurses are the only group within the health sector whose agreement hasn’t been fully implemented,” he said, adding that their demands were not out of place.
Dr. Afriyie also highlighted the importance of bipartisan support. “The good thing is that they were hearing it from the Minority who sided with them,” he stated, referring to the Minority’s vocal support for the nurses.
He also revealed that the committee suggested a compromise where the government would initially meet half of the nurses’ demands, with the remaining concerns addressed in the next budget cycle.
This strategy, according to Dr. Afriyie, allowed for a fair resolution while ensuring that the nurses’ needs were taken into account, offering a balanced approach to the ongoing negotiations.