COMMENT: The Medical Association is holding the country to ransom

In my present fair-mindedness and level-headedness, there is none more contemptible and condemnable than the Ghana Medical Association which has beleaguered the entire nation holding it to ransom. The now-shamed Association has embarked on an illegal strike for the past four weeks and is happy to do so because of the hypocritical support they receive from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The doctors are demanding the full payment of their salary arrears for the year 2012. The strike has come about as a result of failed arbitration by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. Despite sporadic calls across the world for the doctors to return to work, they are being rigidly adamant with their stance.

According to our Constitution, Section 175 of the Labour Act, essential services are “areas in an establishment where an action could result in a particular or total loss of life or pose a danger to public health and safety and such other services as the Minister [for Labour] may by Legislative Instrument determine.” So clearly, the Ghana Medical Association’s work activities fall under essential services as stipulated by the Constitution. The Constitution goes further to stipulate that workers who fall within the catchment area of essential services are not to embark on strikes and therefore any such action should be deemed illegal.

Further, Section 168 of same protects legal sympathy strikes, subject to certain conditions. It states that illegal striking workers would not be paid and also allows the termination of their employment.

Those in support of the strike action by the members of the GMA argue that, government is reneging on its promises to the doctors and that government’s ‘no money’ excuse is untrue. They fail to appreciate the fact that about 60% of the total budget of government is consumed by its wage bill. Therefore, the budget is already stretched thin and that at some points in time, government may have difficulties in fulfilling all of its financial obligations.

Putting aside the illegality of this unwholesome strike, the action begs for the questions; can human life be priced? Could the doctors not have found other meaningful and constructive way of resolving the impasse with government? And most importantly, is it not true that doctors undertake a professional oath to at all times protect human life?

On the website of the Ghana Medical Association, they have stated the following as their philosophies (what guides them or their beliefs); • The Association affirms that health is a right and must be made accessible, equitable, affordable, and appropriate and safe at all times to all the people in Ghana. • The Association is committed to partnerships and collaborations with all Professions and Groups interested in promoting optimal health for the people of Ghana. • The Association affirms the belief that the health of the people of Ghana means the total wellbeing of the people and not the mere absence of disease. • The Association is committed to the welfare of members and other health professionals as essential to achieve and sustain optimal health care delivery in Ghana.

The emboldened words and phrases in the above philosophies of the GMA go against their reckless strike in every sense. After four weeks, many are the families, who are now mourning and burying their dead, many are the patients whose conditions have worsened; many are the future leaders who have lost their lives, and all of this is due to their callous and reckless decision to go on strike.

The doctors have taken a stance and are not budging until government meets their demands. Being forced the government has again renewed the services of the Cuban Doctors, about 350 of them passionately thronged into the country to salvage the situation as their Ghanaian ‘money-lovers’ counterparts stand aside and watch with folded arms.

I know many Ghanaians will join hands with me as I call on the government to investigate the matter and fish out members of the GMA who instigated the illegal strike action and terminate their employments as the law mandates government to do so. What is the law if there are no punitive measures to it? To the doctors, I say shame on you for every life that is lost as a result of unavailable medical care.

May Ghana be the Victor, God bless Ghana.