ENT Nurses Society calls for inclusion in free primary healthcare policy

The Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Nurses Society, Ghana, has formally called on the Ministry of Health to include its members in the national free primary healthcare policy. National Chairperson Esther Osei Birikorang made the appeal during the society’s 12th annual conference in Koforidua, arguing that the inclusion of specialized nurses is essential for expanding access to ear and hearing care. By integrating these professionals into the policy, the society believes the government can better address clinical cases that currently go untreated due to structural gaps in the healthcare system.

Birikorang emphasized that ENT nurses possess the specific clinical expertise required to manage a wide range of hearing and medical issues affecting both children and adults. During the four-day conference, which commenced on October 14, 2026, she highlighted the prevalence of untreated conditions and urged for a national shift in perspective. She noted that removing barriers to care is critical to overcoming the stigma and misconceptions that frequently prevent patients from seeking early intervention for ear-related health problems.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ernest Konadu Ayisi Asiedu assured the society that its concerns would be given priority within the government's health agenda. He called for active collaboration between the ENT Nurses Society and the ministry to refine the guidelines of the free primary healthcare policy. This partnership aims to ensure that specialized ear and hearing care becomes a sustainable component of Ghana’s broader primary healthcare delivery model, ultimately improving health outcomes for patients nationwide.