Mrs Mighty Dorgbadzi, the Deputy Superintendent of Midwifery at the Nkwanta South Municipal Hospital, has shared an emotional account of reason she has chosen to remain at her post despite the insecurity in the conflict-affected Municipality.
She explained that her professional oath to save lives was stronger than the fear created by the ongoing disturbances.
Speaking in an engagement with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mrs Dorgbadzi said many health workers had sought transfers to leave the municipality because of the persistent security challenges.
She however, said after deep reflection on the oath she took as a healthcare professional, she resolved to remain and continue serving the people of Nkwanta South.
“There is one thing that has been on my heart,” I see that many of us want to leave. Everywhere, people are writing letters saying, ‘I want to go, I want to leave.’
Sometimes I come to work and someone tells me they are leaving. I see my colleagues being released and departing, and I ask myself a difficult question.”
Mrs Dorgbadzi explained that although she was initially unhappy about being posted to Nkwanta South, she eventually accepted the assignment because of her commitment to the nursing and midwifery profession.
“I pledged to save lives, and I was posted here. At first, I did not like the posting, but I accepted it because I had made a commitment to serve. That is why I came,” she stated.
Reflecting on the impact of the conflict on residents, she said health workers continued to provide care to everyone brought to the hospital, irrespective of their background or circumstances.
“Now, the very people I pledged to serve are caught up in this conflict. Some are shooting and killing, while others are brought to us wounded, and we care for them. If I also decide to leave, who will take care of those people?” she asked.
Mrs Dorgbadzi described her decision to remain in the municipality as both difficult and deeply personal, noting that the question of who would care for vulnerable patients if health professionals abandoned their posts had continued to weigh heavily on her mind.
“That is the difficult question I keep asking myself. To this day, I have not found the answer, but I have decided to stay and continue caring for the people. I have prayed to God, and I believe He will give me the strength and protection to remain here and continue serving,” she added.
Her remarks drew admiration from patients at the hospital, who described her testimony as a powerful demonstration of the courage, dedication and selfless sacrifice exhibited by frontline.
Despite the prolonged security challenges in the Municipality, health professionals have continued to provide essential healthcare services, often under difficult and risky conditions, ensuring that residents receive timely medical attention.
Mrs Dorgbadzi’s testimony underscored the indispensable role of healthcare workers in preserving lives during periods of conflict and highlighted the need for sustained security, psychosocial support to and motivation for frontline personnel working in volatile communities.
GNA
