NGO calls for non-partisan dialogue on working conditions

The Universal Access to Healthcare Campaign, a health-focused Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for a non-partisan national dialogue to streamline working conditions for all professionals in the country.

The NGO is calling on all to ensure that recognized professional associations are represented at the dialogue and a well-documented working condition agreed on and signed by stakeholders.

This, it said, will put to an end the frequent labour strikes.

Mr Archibald Adams, the National Campaign Coordinator, made the call in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Friday.

He urged the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to review its job valuation process and the placement of professionals on the single spine salary scheme.

He said there was huge turnout of patients at the 37 Military Hospital, Police Hospital and some private clinics across the country, and that, such strikes usually end up with needless loss of lives, which cannot be restored after the strike.

“The Campaign’s checks in some communities in the Ashanti region shows that those with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Cards are being turned away from some of the private NHIS accredited services because the Authority owes the service providers," he said.

He urged government to quickly work with the Ghana Medical Association to resolve the issue immediately since the country cannot afford to lose more lives and appealed to the doctors to return to their consulting rooms whilst negotiating.

The Campaign is urging the NHIA to ensure the timely release of payment claims to service providers to ensure effective and quality health care delivery.