No more strike – Ghanaian doctors backtrack after gov’t assurance

Members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have given assurance to the Ghanaian public that their intended strike has been suspended.

The doctors have arrived at a decision with the Ghanaian government to address their concerns.

The President of the GMA, Dr. Frank Ankobea, said the Association is satisfied with the agreement made with the government.

“We have finally reached an agreement with government and based on that, we have suspended our intended strike. As we speak we both have agreed on certain issues and we think we are satisfied,” Ankobea said in a report.

The development follows the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission’s (FWSC) promise to sign the agreed conditions of service document for Medical Doctors/Dentists working with the Ministry of Health and its agencies.

Last week, the Ghanaian doctors served notice to leave the wards from November 18, 2019, if conditions of service documents for doctors and dentists working under the health ministry are not signed.

The Ghana Medical Association at a media briefing said they will withdraw all Out Patient Department (OPD) services if their demands are not met.

It further warned that it will completely withdraw its services at all government health facilities if its demands are not met.

The President of the GMA, Dr. Frank Ankobea, said the conditions of service document signed in 2015, expired in December 2018 and the government has since failed to sign the new document.

“Effective Monday, November 18, 2019, all medical Doctors /Dentists working in the public sector shall withdraw Out Patient Department (OPD) Services.”

Dr. Ankobea added that the withdrawal of emergency services will follow after two weeks of withdrawal of OPD Services and finally, by December 9, their association will embark on a complete withdrawal of all services in public hospitals.

“From Monday, December 2, 2019, to Sunday, December 8, 2019, all emergency services shall be withdrawn.

From Monday, December 9, 2019, all services shall be totally withdrawn.”

In September 2015, the GMA signed the conditions of service document for medical doctors and dentists working with the Ministry of Health.

The implementation of the document started in January 2016 but expired in December last year.

The GMA in July 2015 embarked on a 3-week strike over the absence of a codified condition of service.

Source: Daily Mail GH