BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Trainee nurses and midwives across Ghana have been warned that they risk dismissal from their training institutions if they use their official uniforms to create inappropriate social media content, as health authorities intensify efforts to protect the image, dignity and professional standards of the nursing and midwifery professions.
The warning was issued by Tony Goodman, Acting Head of the Health Training Institutions (HTI) Directorate under the Ministry of Health, during the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Session of the Nurse and Midwife Educators’ Society in Takoradi.
The caution also covers practising nurses and midwives, who could face disciplinary proceedings by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana if their online conduct is found to violate professional standards.
The concerns centre on the use of official nursing and midwifery uniforms to record and publish entertainment videos, inappropriate performances and other unapproved content on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Authorities have expressed concern that some social media activities involving healthcare uniforms could undermine the professional image of nurses and midwives, particularly when the content includes offensive language, misleading health information or behaviour considered inconsistent with the responsibilities of healthcare professionals.
Goodman cautioned trainee nurses and midwives against using their uniforms in ways that could bring their training institutions or the wider profession into disrepute.
The warning places students on notice that their conduct outside the classroom and clinical environment, including their activities on social media, may attract institutional scrutiny where professional rules are breached.
Under the stated warning, trainees who engage in prohibited conduct could face disciplinary action, including dismissal or removal from their training institutions, depending on the applicable rules and the circumstances of each case.
The development comes amid growing public debate over the use of professional uniforms in online entertainment and the extent to which individuals should be held accountable for content they publish on social media.
The warning extends beyond students to nurses and midwives who are already practising. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana is responsible for regulating professional practice and maintaining standards of conduct among nurses and midwives.
Reports on the warning have indicated that potential consequences may include suspension or revocation of professional licences. However, the precise sanction in any individual case would depend on the applicable regulations, the evidence and the outcome of the relevant disciplinary process.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has also supported calls for greater ethical responsibility in the use of nurses’ and midwives’ uniforms on social media.
The association has urged healthcare workers and content creators to respect the identity of the professions and avoid online activities that could undermine their public image.
The issue has become increasingly prominent as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook provide users with opportunities to create short videos, participate in online trends and build personal audiences.
