Doctors to Meet on Strike Action

Doctors of the Greater Accra branch of Ghana Medical Association (GMA) will this afternoon decide on whether or not to carry out their threat to withdraw their services.

Speaking to the GNA in Accra, Dr Kwamena Beecham, Chairman of the Association, said the threat still holds, adding, the meeting yesterday (Thursday) was to decide the next line of action.

Members of the regional GMA threatened to embark on a strike if their Additional Extra Duty Hours (ADH) allowance for January was not paid by 1600 hours on Wednesday.

They have also resolved not to accept the 25 per cent tax on the allowance instead of the existing 15 per cent.

On March 1, the Ministry of Health issued a circular that with effect from January 1, the tax on ADH has been increased from 15 to 25 per cent.

Dr Henry Holdbrook-Smith, Chief Executive of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said all efforts are being made to forestall any disaster should the doctors go on strike.

He said he has alerted the Police and Military hospitals to stand by for any emergency.

Doctors at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were, however, on Thursday morning attending to old cases at the maternity, children and surgical blocks.

At the Maternity Ward Six, Madam Mary Dadzie, Matron-in-charge, said doctors have been attending to patients who need surgery.

"It is just that we are not receiving new cases", she added.

The Out-Patients-Department was choked with patients waiting to receive medical attention.

Some of the doctors who spoke to the GNA, expressed regret that the ministry has not made any statement on the matter.

"It is very unfortunate that we have not heard anything from Dr Richard Anane, the Health Minister", one of the doctors said.