Doctors to sign conditions of service Sept. 30

Ghanaian doctors will sign a codified conditions of service by September 30, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations has disclosed.

Haruna Iddrisu assured negotiations between the doctors, who called off their strike Friday, and the government will resume Monday, August 24 at 11am.

According to him, government welcomes the doctors’ decision to return to the wards and theaters after laying down their tools for three weeks to demand better conditions of service.

Speaking on Joy FM’s news analysis and current affairs programme News File Saturday, Iddrisu said government is committed to healthy talks and will aim at completing the process by the end of next month in order to incorporate the outcome in the 2016 budget.

“The principle is not in dispute and not in doubt. It is just the nuances of it,” the minister stated.

He expressed government’s gratitude to all stakeholders who helped in persuading the doctors to return to work.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in a statement to doctors said that “the ongoing withdrawal of out-patient and emergencies services by members of the GMA is suspended. That the suspension takes effect from Monday August 24, 2015. That all members of the GMA should fully restore their services effective 8am on the said day.”

It added: "That the negotiations committee of the GMA should continue to negotiate on behalf of the members of the GMA with government such that the conclusion of negotiations would be fed into the 2016 budget for implementation of same.”