Doctors to remain resolute on strike till demand is met

Accra, Oct. 11, GNA - Medical practitioners in the country would remain resolute until their demand for migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) by Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is met.

They contended that the FWSC was not showing evidence of migrating them onto the SSSS and that if their request was not met the strike would continue unabated.

Speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on Tuesday, Dr Frank Sereboe, Deputy General Secretary of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), said the Government should be held responsible for any deaths that would occur during the strike 93Because we will always wait until things get out of hand before we act decisively.

"Ghanaians should not blame doctors but they should blame the FWSC as well as the Government for the strike".

The GMA in a joint statement signed by Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, President of the GMA and Dr Frank Serebour, Deputy General Secretary of the Association, last Friday said: 93The GMA does not foresee their grievances being met by the close of business on Friday, October 7, and has, therefore, instructed all doctors to stop work and hold themselves in readiness for further instructions". The Association is protesting about distortions in the grading structures of the SSSS, issues of unscientific determination of market premium and inducement by the FWSC.

It also complained about the inability of the FWSC to provide unequivocal evidence of migration of doctors onto the SSSS and the ambiguous stance of the SSSS Secretariat on the positions of District Directors of Health Service and Medical Superintendents. Dr Serebour noted that most often medical practitioners, were accused of lacking commitment when demanding improved salaries and working conditions, forgetting that without improved conditions they could not undertake their duties efficiently and effectively. "We have always seen strike as the last option in view of its negative implications in the country but GMA has no choice but to resort to strike in the face of government's unyieldingness." In an answer to a question concerning their colleagues in Tamale Teaching Hospital who were working, Dr Serebour explained that GMA understood the plight of junior doctors and alleged that they had been threatened to work and not embark on any strike. He said although GMA had not been informed officially about the issue, the members of the group heard on air of a meeting between the GMA and FWSC on Thursday, October 13.

Dr Serebour said: 93If we are duly invited and the outcome of the meeting becomes fruitful, the strike would be called off". The GNA visited Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) on the fourth day of the strike and found out that the doctors were only attending to patients on admission.

The consulting rooms were virtually empty with couple of patients who were waiting patiently if luck would smile on them while others left disappointed.

Auntie Akua Mansah, a patient at KBTH, who spoke to the GNA, regretted the turn of events because she was in so much pain and wanted a doctor for thorough medical examination since she had been on a pain relieving drug for the past three days. She said 93Since I cannot afford to visit a private hospital I come here every day expecting that a doctor would have pity on me. I also want to appeal to the Government to listen to the grievances of the doctors and not toy with our lives.

Auntie Mansah said: 93I just don't understand why politicians fail to implement their campaign promises on platforms and act differently when elected into power".

Authorities of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital told GNA that they had suspended regular services until further notice as a result of the strike.

"Patients on admission will be catered for until they are discharged," Mr Mustapha Salifu, Public Relations Officer of the Hospital, told the GNA.