NPP against 'militarisation' of civilian health institutions

Accra (Greater Accra) 8th Sept. '99 The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the decision by the government to hand over the Ridge Hospital and La Polyclinic to the military and police respectively.

A statement signed by Mr S .A Odoi-Sykes, National Chairman, said the party considers the reason for the move, to avoid strikes, strange. It said it is not a wise policy to extend military and police involvement in the operation of health facilities at the two civilian hospitals that have been enjoyed by the civilian population without restrictions for all these years. The statement said the military and police have their own hospitals that they manage under military and police rules and conditions.

It said the way to avoid strikes in a vital sector like hospitals is to have in place proper mechanisms and procedures for dealing effectively with grievances and demands by health personnel so that they do not get out of hand. "It said it is obvious that the transfers are being made in anger and frustration to show the doctors and nurses 'where power lies'". "The transfers cannot be an effective strategy to check strikes in the health sector.

"The many specialist services available at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital cannot be offered at the Ridge Hospital and La Polyclinic." The NPP said it is, therefore, opposed to the decision and called on the government to leave the two hospitals and those in the regions alone and "to reconsider its dangerous policy of militarising the country's civilian health institutions".