Emergency Eases As Strike Worsens

Doctors say they will accept no more emergency cases at the various public hospitals nationwide, as their strike take an ominous turn for the worse.

The doctors last week announced a nationwide strike in protest over stalled negotiation on the Single Spine Salary Structure but pledged to take only emergency cases at the various hospitals to prevent needless loss of lives.

However, a week later, the doctors are questioning the commitment of the Fair Wages and Salary Commission to fairly negotiate a salary structure for doctors and have sworn not to offer any service at the hospital, including emergency ones.

“The Fair wages and Salary Commission could not resolve the abysmal promotional patterns on the Single Spine Salary Structure. While other health workers are galloping across banks on the spine, the doctors are moving on a snail pace with respect to promotions for the same number of years worked.

“It is clear from the stance of the salaries commission that they are either not ready or not in the position to find solution to the grievances raised by GMA.

“The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission have resorted to the use of sentiments rather than a scientific approach in determining the grades of doctors on the Single Spine Salary Structure,” the President of the Ghana Medical Association Adom Winful said at a press conference in Accra on Friday.

He said the grading system being used by the FWSC is “botched” and has “created congestion” at the top of the single spine salary structure in the health sector.

He directed all doctors to vacate all public hospitals and step-up the strike.

“The National Executive Committee would like to inform its members to be steadfast in our decision to keep faith with the leadership of the GMA as we go through these turbulent times.

“Members are informed to continue with the strike action in our own interest until all the major issues are resolved.

“Members are instructed to step-up with the strike action by not attending to emergencies,” he directed.

He said the doctors will not be held liable for the consequences of the strike.