Govt disappointed in doctors' action; embark on contingency plans
The government has expressed disappointment at the action by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to escalate its strike.
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In an interview in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, said the sole objective of the action by the doctors was to cause more hardship for Ghanaians, although the government had done all that was required of it following an agreement signed with the leadership of the GMA.
He said the GMA accepted a government proposed payment schedule for the arrears of the market premium of doctors for the period up to April 2013.
Mr Ayariga said an agreement was also reached on the modalities for dealing with the issue of conversion difference and pension.
”The action of the GMA violates a decision by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on April 10, 2013 directing the GMA to call off the strike and resume work immediately following the government’s provision of adequate guarantees that all the terms of the agreement will be implemented on schedule,” he said.
He said at a meeting among the GMA, the government and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on April 11, 2013, the leaders of the GMA and all the parties agreed that “… the issue of conversion difference and pension is being dealt with by the Single Spine Post-Migration Technical Committee and the government and the GMA will ensure commitment to the process”.
He said subsequently, the Single Spine Post-Migration Committee (a sub-committee of the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC)) met the leadership of the GMA on April 12, 2013 and a deadline of April 25, 2013 was communicated to the GMA for the completion of the work of the sub-committee of the PSJSNC on the Single Spine Post-Migration Technical Committee.
“After all these efforts to address the concerns of the GMA, the government is disappointed in the leadership of the GMA and questions their motivation in embarking on this extreme measure of withdrawal of even emergency medical services with the potential of causing loss of lives,” he said
Mr Ayariga said to avert any loss of lives, the President had directed the ministers for Health, Defence and the Interior to continue all efforts to ensure that the current arrangements to enable patients to receive emergency medical attention in the military, police and other private hospitals accredited by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) were continued.
“All medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists on leave at these hospitals have been recalled from their leave. Also, retired doctors, nurses and pharmacists of these hospitals are being recalled,” he stated
Additionally, Mr Ayariga said the government was boosting the capacity of these hospitals to take on additional emergencies.
“The National Ambulance Service is to stand ready to support all patients needing emergency evacuation to the police and military hospitals,” he added.
He said the Minister for Heath would meet with heads of medical facilities to discuss and take additional measures to minimise the impact of the strike and the enforcement of the Labour Act regarding the conduct of workers in the health sector.
“The President commends all those gallant medical doctors who have, in appreciation of our national circumstance, made their services available to the Ghanaian populace, including retired medical doctors who have reported to support the ongoing remedial measures.
“Every effort is being made by the government to ensure that the public is able to access health care, even in emergency situations, to avert any loss of lives,” Mr Ayariga said.
By Graphic.com.gh
