Consultants and specialists of Korle-Bu still on strike

Accra, (Greater Accra) 21 July '99,

Striking medical consultants and specialists of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital may resume work tomorrow, "if the director of administration proceeds on leave as expected".

A letter from the Minister of Health, Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor, asking the administrator, Dr Sylvia Annie-Akwetey to proceed on leave to ensure industrial peace has been received at the nation premier teaching hospital, but it is yet to be delivered Dr Annie- Akwetey.

The doctors began the strike action on Monday, demanding that the administrator, who is at the centre of controversy over hospital purchases, leave the hospital.

Dr Alhassan Abudulai, spokesman for the doctors, in an interview in Accra on Tuesday said they have received a copy of the letter signed by the minister and Professor Rev. Seth Ayettey, acting chairman of the board of the hospital.

" We have received a copy of that letter just this evening. There will be an emergency meeting tomorrow morning to let other colleagues know of the letter. Then we will know what action to take next.

"I promise you we will go back to work as soon as we finish with the meeting''.

Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor on Monday issued a statement asking Dr Annie-Akwetey to proceed on leave to ensure peace at the hospital.

The Minister said he is studying the Serious Fraud Office and Justice Osei Committee reports on investigations into alleged fraudulent deals in the supply of medical consumables at the hospital.

"I need to study the two reports and reconcile the contents and various recommendations to ensure fairness to all concerned".

When contacted, Dr Henry Holdbrook-Smith, chief executive of the hospital, said the absence of the consultants is being deeply felt, and the hospital cannot do without them.

"Hopefully, the consultants will resume work tomorrow after the administrator has received a copy of the letter asking her to proceed on leave for the hospital to be back on track''.

Dr Annie-Akwetey, speaking on one of the private radio stations earlier in the day, said she is seen as an "obstacle" by the purchasing committee and the consultants, "because she always queries anything she suspects to be fishy".

She said it is her duty as the administrator of the hospital to fight for the interest and safety of the patients, "and I have been doing just that".

She said she was waiting for a letter signed by her employers, Ministry of Health, asking her to proceed on leave before she vacates her post.