It is unfair to pay all medical doctors the same salaries whether they work in the urban or rural areas, Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, Volta Regional Director of Health has complained.

He made the remark at a National Forum on the sustainability of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) in Ho on Tuesday.

According to Dr Nuertey, the salaries of medical doctors should be graduated in favour of those working in the rural areas.

The Forum brought together representatives of labour unions and associations, government, employers and the officials of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to brainstorm on the challenges confronting the economy following the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP).

Syndicate groups at the Forum would brainstorm on Public Sector Wages Policy as a component of Sustainable National Economic Policy, Market Premium (Determination and coverage) inducements and other allowances, and Linking Pay to Work and Productivity.

Dr Nuertey said medical doctors in the rural areas are under constant pressure to serve several thousands of patients daily, without any respite.

He said the doctors also face a number of disadvantages and challenges because of where they engage their services.

Dr Nuertey said the practice of paying allowances to trainees in health training institutions including medical students should be stopped.

He noted that students should rather be encouraged to take loans to meet their financial commitments.