Ghana Medical Association threatens the worst of doctors’ strike

• Posted on February 12, 2013February 12, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Ghana Medical Association President Dr Kwabena Opoku Adusei has warned that if the government does not take steps to address doctors’ concerns, the consequences of their strike would become unbearable.

He said the government must stick to the timeline set by the National Labour Commission for the amicable resolution of the issues that the GMA has raised. If not, he warned, “it will be bad for the nation.”

A letter signed by GMA Executive Secretary, Dr. Frank Serebour announced that from Monday, February 18, doctors in the public sector would withdraw all services including emergency care and in-patient care indefinitely.

Dr. Serebour explained that the decision was taken after a series of meetings, consultations and correspondences with stakeholders like the National Labour Commission, the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission following the doctors’ migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure.

He also recommended that before the strike causes further disruptions, a committee should be established to discuss the concerns that have led to the withdrawal of services.

Doctors in Ghana’s public hospitals are currently on a limited strike; they provide care for only emergency services.

They are protesting what say is the government’s lack of commitment to deal with their complaints of salary distortions.