Ministers in crucial meeting with striking doctors to avert disaster

In a bid to avert possible calamity at public hospitals, government has summoned the leadership of Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to an emergency meeting as the doctors threaten to intensify their strike Monday.

According to reports, government has directed the Health Minister, Sherry Ayittey along with her colleague from the Employment and Labour Relations Ministry, Nii Armah Ashittey, to step in and prevent the doctors from activating the second stage of their industrial action.

The strike which is already in day 14 as at Sunday, April 21, 2013, has seen many public hospitals deserted as there are no doctors to attend to patients.

The GMA is demanding the full payment of delayed allowance since 2012, as well as resolution of issues of the conversion difference and reduced pensions.

There are fears many lives could be lost if the doctors refuse to attend to emergency cases.

But the doctors insist they will stay off the consulting rooms, unless issues relating to the conversion difference and reduced pensions are addressed.

The National Executive Council of the GMA on Saturday directed its members to withdraw all emergency services from tomorrow, April 22, 2013.

In a brief statement issued and signed by General Secretary of the GMA, Dr Frank Serebour, all doctors are from Monday, the 22nd of April expected to now attend to in-patients until their discharge.

The strike is set to enter day 15 on Monday. It is by far the longest strike by any labour union this year.