Accra, Aug. 31, GNA - Cabinet has expressed concern about the disparities that occurred in the recent payment of extra-duty allowance to nurses and directed that such disparities should be discontinued. Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, announced this on Tuesday at a post-cabinet briefing at the Castle, Osu.
Higher allowance was paid to nurses at the Korle Bu and Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals as against what was paid to nurses of other hospitals. Mr Mahama said Cabinet also directed that as from August only personnel of the health sector who actually work extra hours should be paid extra-duty allowance.
The Minister of Health was asked to ensure an early implementation of the National Security Council's decision that the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police health units should assume the responsibility of managing the Ridge Hospital and La Polyclinic respectively.
The arrangement is to be replicated in all regions where the Armed Forces and the Police have health delivery facilities. In regions where the Health Ministry has built new regional hospitals, the ministry is to explore the possibility of handing over the new or the old ones to the Armed Forces or the Police Service to manage.
This arrangement is to enable these health institutions to serve as back-ups and also reduce the pressure generated during emergencies such as the recent nurses' strike.
