Doctors threaten strike

Medical doctors in the country have threatened to strike if government does not meet it's demands. Following a National Executive Council meeting on July 27, the association has outlined a number of issues it wants to be addressed before August 6, failing which, an escalating strike will begin.

The GMA in a statement has recommended that “non-core expenditures [National Health Insurance Authority] should be suspended.

The strike will begin on Monday, August 6, 2018, until a list of their demands are met by government. The doctors say they will first withdraw their outpatient services until August 19 and heighten the industrial action by withdrawing emergency services from 20 August until 27 August when they declare a full-blown strike if their demands are still not met.

Portions of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA). Source: Myjoyonline.com READ ALSO: Mahama paid GH¢568,000 salary - Government This was agreed following a meeting by members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) held at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.

The doctors outlined a number of situations which they think have not been in their favour and want government to step in.

According to them, the issue of doctors having suffered reduced pensions following their migration onto the single spine pay policy; and non-payment of conversion differences, is still outstanding since December 2011, in spite of the National Labour Commission’s compulsory arbitration award which binds both parties and subsequent directive from the NLC to government to correct same.

Another issue raised at the GMA 4th National Executive meeting was the inability of government to implement the condition of service document signed three years ago.

They complained that most deprived communities have not been able to receive standard care because of “inequitable distribution of critical healthcare staff”.

The doctors are, therefore, calling on government to consider the incentive packages recommended by the GMA at its Annual General Conference held in Tamale in November 2010.