Striking doctors still negotiating

Korle-buMinistry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday affirmed that government is still working with Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for an amicable resolution to the “Service Condition Negotiation deadlock”.

Speaking in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Tony Goodman, Ministry of Health Public Relations Officer, said the negotiations is a cross-sectorial challenge.

“We are working with all parties involved Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Fair Wages Commission.

“We are all working around the clock to reach an agreement within the shortest possible time.”

In a related development, Health Professionals at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital in Accra say they have not embarked on industrial action, despite the nationwide strike declared by GMA.

In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday, Mrs Francisca Sefakor Kumahor, the Administrator, said: “We are attending to patients and the doctors and staff are yet to decide whether to join the industrial action”.

The GNA observed some health professionals including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists at their various duty post working and some patients commended the health professionals for attending to their needs.

The children hospital provides medical care services, pursues diseases control and offers reproductive and child health, family planning and nutrition services.

Meanwhile Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, has expressed optimism that the doctors would not plunge the nation’s health care system into chaos.

“I am optimistic that negotiations will progress into the second and probably the concluding stages. We have given in to some of their request, some of it we have to do further financial implication analysis.

“We trust that as true to the calling of their profession, they will continue to render services and save lives as we also do our utmost best to meet some of their demands within the constraints of the budget and the challenge of the economy,” he added.

More than 2,000 doctors in the country have declared a nationwide strike effective July 30 to demand that government provides them with conditions of service.

Source: GNA

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