Physician Assistants give government three weeks ultimatum

Felix A. Baidoo Health Aug - 21 - 2018 , 16:04

The Ghana Physician Assistants Association has given the government three weeks to resolve all outstanding issues relating to members’ salary discrepancies and conditions of service.

According to the association, failure by the government to resolve the issues raised by September 10, 2018, would lead to several actions to compel the government to act.

The Acting General Secretary of the Association, Mr. Peter Kuenyefu, who announced this at a press conference in Kumasi said they would begin their action with the withdrawal of all its members from Out Patient Departments (OPDs) in all public health institutions nationwide by the deadline.

He explained that should government fail to find a solution to the issues raised after sometime, they would activate further actions which would force the government to listen to them.

National Council meeting

The press conference was held after the 3rd National Council meeting of the Association which took place in Kumasi.

The National Council meeting was used to deliberate on issues affecting their practice such as salary discrepancies among its members, obsolete job descriptions, career progression, advancement, specialization for physician assistants and appointment of physician assistants as heads of health centres and sub-districts.

It also used the meeting to share views on best practices, challenges and other matters that stood the chance of enhancing their operations.

According to the Association, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and other implementing agencies were acting in ways that show they are unconcerned about issues affecting Physician Assistants.

The Acting General Secretary expressed surprise why it has taken the government and other health sector stakeholders so long to find a lasting solution to issues affecting their practice.