Negotiations: No invite from govt to GMA

The Finder can report that despite the overwhelming negative impact the strike by public sector doctors is having on Ghanaians, government has not invited the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to continue with negotiations.

As of the close of the day yesterday, The Finder’s checks indicated that the GMA has not received any invitation from government to find lasting solutions to the problem.

Meanwhile, Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has insisted that government would weather the storm, an indication that government is not ready to give in to the demands of the doctors.

His statement appears stoic even after doctors of public hospitals across the country extend their strike by two more weeks.

“We have a shared and a collective responsibility together with the doctors to preserve human lives, and government will do exactly that,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu said government is committed to saving lives.

Last week, the Minister of Health advised the public to seek medical care or services at quasi-government health institutions where medical doctors are not on strike.

They include University of Ghana Hospital - Legon; Atomic Energy Commission Clinic - Kwabenya; Airport Clinic - Airport; 37 Military Hospital - 37; Police Hospital - Cantonments; VRA Hospitals - Osu, Akosombo and Aboadze; Bank of Ghana Clinic - Ridge; GBC Clinic - Kanda; SIC Clinic - Tudu; Ghana Post Clinic - James Town; Cocoa Clinics - Kaneshie, Kumasi, Debiso; Ghana Commercial Bank Clinic - Kantamanto; Graphic Clinic - Adabraka; University of Ghana Medical School Clinic - Korle Bu; Kwame Nkrumah University Hospital - Kumasi; and Cape Coast Hospital - Cape Coast.

The rest are University of Development Studies Clinic - Tamale; University of Development Studies Clinic - Wa; Anglogold Ashanti Hospital - Obuasi; Ghana Port and Harbour Authority Hospital/Clinic - Tema, Takoradi; Valco Hospital - Tema; Ghana Bauxite Hospital - Awaso; Bui Dam Clinic - Brong Ahafo; Ghana Consolidated Diamond Clinic - Akwatia; SSNIT Hospitals - Osu, Adenta, Madina, Tema, Dansoman.

The Ministry said it was mindful of its mandate of creating quality and accessible healthcare for the people of this country; for this reason, the public is advised to desist from resorting to self-medication.

Few days after Out-Patient Department services were withdrawn, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) entreated all National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cardholders who may be turned away from public health facilities to visit any of the NHIS-credentialed private and faith-based hospitals and clinics to access healthcare services.

Selorm Adonoo, Head of Communications, NHIA, in a statement, said NHIS cards are not only eligible in government establishments but can be used in the over 1,000 NHIS-credentialed private and faith-based healthcare facilities.

He explained that NHIS cardholders may also access healthcare at the 37 Military and Police hospitals in Accra and the many health centres, and Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds across the country.

According to him, this arrangement was to ensure that subscribers of the NHIS continue to access health care services while the Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) negotiations with government and strike persist