GMA Debunks Graphic's Single Spine Figures

GMA debunks Graphic’s single spine figures
The attention of the Ghana Medical Association has been drawn to a front page
publication in the Daily Graphic of 20th October, 2011 quoting all kinds of figures
as representing the salaries of doctors on the single spine.
We wish to straighten the records without further delay as follows;
1. A gap of 49% exists between earnings on the single spine and current
earnings of doctors on the health sector salary structure – the implication being
that if doctors are not to be left worse off by this process of migrating them unto
the spine, then there is the need to address that gap.

2. That the doctor that enjoys the highest increment on the single spine
structure is within the Medical Officer rank.

3. That this Medical Officer currently earns a monthly salary in the range of
GH¢ 1557.00. Further, on the single spine and at the current level of the
negotiations, the Medical Officer is projected to earn a salary of 2095.15 GH¢ and
not GH¢2556.90 - GH¢ 3891.91 as put out by the Daily Graphic. The 31st August 2011
pay slip of a medical officer is attached to attest to this and should put this
matter to rest.

4. That to the best of our knowledge, no doctor on the single spine salary
structure earns anything in the range of Gh¢4234.17 and GH¢ 4845.47 as quoted by the
Graphic.

5. That doctors have never had the position that no other category of health
worker should ever earn anything beyond what is due a doctor. Rather, the GMA has
insisted that whatever positions are arrived at through an objective job evaluation
and description exercise ought to be maintained whether this pertains to doctors or
non doctors.

The GMA calls on the general public to completely disregard these figures being
bandied around which are nothing short of a public relations gimmick aimed at
inciting public sentiments and opinions against doctors. Finally, is it not
interesting that the nation should be told in 2011 that doctors now earn over GH¢
4000.00 almost six years after the same figure was massively circulated?
Thank you