Senchi Injection: Physician assistants call off strike after court granted bail to its member

The Ghana Physicians Association has called off its indefinite strike following the release on bail of one of its members.

Simon Takrama was remanded by a circuit court in Somanya last week for his involvement in the death of four patients at the New Senchi Health centre.

Mr. Takrama's lawyer had argued in court on Tuesday, that his client was not directly involved in the administration of the injections, blamed for the deaths of the patients.

The strike by the physician assistants was called on Monday to protest the arrest and detention of Simon Takrama and the disease control officer, James Yeboah after four patients, said to have been administered a penicillin injection at the New Senchi Health centre later died.

Tuesday's high court decision quashes an earlier ruling by the Somanya circuit court a fortnight ago.

The circuit court did not take the plea of the suspects when they appeared before it and remanded them into prison custody .

Counsel for Simon Takrama dissatisfied with the decision of the court filed a motion for bail at the high court.

Musah Sulemana argued that his client had no knowledge of the offense because he was absent at work on the said day.

This was upheld by the sitting judge after prosecution failed to challenge the motion.

While the physician assistant was granted bail the disease control officer, James Yeboah who had no legal representation was kept in custody.

Members of the Ghana Physician's Association who were in court to solidarize with their colleague called off their strike.

Peter Eyram Kuenyefu General Secretary of the group directed members to resume duties tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the association is urging government to engage them to resolve issues related to the welfare of members.

Chairman of the group, Chief Moro says the association will be compelled to lay down its tools if government fails to engage them in the shortest possible time.

Simon Takrama was admitted to a sum of GHC20,000 bail with two sureties.