Government has directed the management of all public health institutions to ensure that they are fully functional on Wednesday, August 19.
It has also directed the management of the hospitals to submit the names of all doctors who fail to report to work tomorrow.
These directives were given by the Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, at a press conference in Accra today.
He directed that: “Heads of facilities should ensure that their facilities resume the provision of the full range of health services by Wednesday, 19th August 2015. Effective Thursday, 20th August, 2015 all members of GMA, who have not reported and assumed full duty shall be considered as being on strike and in clear breach of the Labour Act.
Heads of facilities are also requested to monitor and provide weekly updates on which health workers are at post to my office.”
Mr. Segbefia also cautioned individuals who, according to him, are harassing the few medical doctors who defied the GMA’s directive for a nationwide strike.
“There are some reports of threats and intimidation of Doctors who wish to work. This is their right, and any such act is a criminal offence which if verified will be met with the full rigors of the law. Let us continue to behave in a tolerant manner. Let me be quick to add that as reiterated by his Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, despite the doctors being on strike, nobody and he means absolutely nobody has the right to abuse them.”
The Health Minister further outlined certain measures taken by government to mitigate the effects of the strike on the public.
He said “Physicians and Medical Assistants are being deployed wherever possible under the supervision of Doctors who are ready and willing to work.”
He also reiterated that “about 25 quasi health facilities, 178 hospitals/clinics of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), private health care providers and retired doctors across the country are supporting in delivering health care while we take legitimate steps to restore normalcy.”
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) declared a nationwide strike to demand the provision of a conditions of service document for its members.
They have refused to return unless their grievances are resolved.
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