Junior doctors at Korle Bu are on strike

Junior doctors of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Monday withdrew their services due to the delay in the negotiations for better conditions of service.

"The persistently poor conditions of services in health sector, resulting in increasing levels of departure of health professionals to other countries cannot be overemphasised." The doctors said.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Dr Ishmael Sackey, Spokesman for the Korle-Bu Junior Doctors Society said though doctors enjoyed additional Duty Hours Allowances that did not reflect in their pay-slip, which could affect their pensions in the future.

It quoted Professor Badu Akosa, Director General of Ghana Health Service for saying in 2000, when he was the President of the Ghana Medical Association that, "the aim of remuneration should ensure a general level of living standard for the profession, and a decent retirement pension after so many years of service.

"Pensions are dependent on salaries and not on allowances. It is appalling to know that very senior doctors after more than 30 to 35 years of dedicated service to the nation have retired on 200,000 cedis per month."

The statement explained that in the light of those shortfalls and to prevent collapse of the health sector negotiations began with various stakeholders in the sector over 16 months ago.

It said over a period government has repeatedly spoken of "Package" for doctors and health workers but that has failed to materialise.

The statement said their patience have run out hence the withdrawal of their services adding that the doctors have a duty to fight for sustainable client focus quality health care in the country rather than taking the easier option of joining the bandwagon.

It said standard health could only be provided with a high political commitment to bring about a positive change in the health sector.