Health Minister describes doctors deadline as impossible

Accra, July 23, GNA - Dr Kweku Afriyie, Minister of Health on Wednesday, said the October 31, 2003 deadline given to government by doctors to complete negotiations with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) would not be possible.

He said improving conditions of service of those in the health service is a continuous process and no deadline should be given. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, the health minister said government was making efforts to improve the current conditions of health workers.

He expressed regret that the GMA has given a deadline when "they have been involved in every aspect of the negotiations right from the beginning and they know what is on the ground".

The GMA at the weekend gave the government October 31, 2003 as the deadline to complete negotiations on the poor remuneration and conditions of service of health professionals in the country.

The Association also said until government addressed the issue of poor remuneration and conditions of service, the National Health Insurance Scheme would not work effectively.

The Association made these points at an extraordinary general meeting held at Sunyani to discuss the slow pace of the negotiations with government on the conditions of service for doctors and health professionals.

Dr Afriyie said government appreciated as valid all the issues raised by the doctors were valid and government had no problem with them.

He said government had been able to provide almost all its institutions with vehicles and an extra 63 have been distributed to health personnel at all levels including nurses.

"Another five million dollars have been sourced to secure more vehicles and also address their housing schemes.''

"If they are giving government up to October 31, do they want us to put up all the houses within the next three months and solve the other issues? This is impossible."

Dr Afriyie said government had plans of improving retirement benefits of worker, give incentives for deprived communities and organise career development for health personnel in deprived communities.