Brong Ahafo health workers celebrate 45th anniversary

Sunyani, (B/A) Sept. 7, GNA - Mrs. Benedicta Azidega, Brong-Ahafo Regional Industrial Relations Officer, of the Health Service Workers Union, on Tuesday, implored health workers to enhance their working relationship with clients and give of their best. "Ghanaians look up to health workers for quality health delivery and it behooves you to work hard to guarantee the good health status of the citizenry," she said. Mrs. Azidega gave the advice, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, after the Union undertook an hour-long clean-up exercise at the premises of Sunyani Municipal Hospital to mark the 45th anniversary celebration of the Union.

The regional industrial relations officer advised health workers to adhere to their job prescriptions to promote a sound cordial relationship with management. Mrs. Azidega noted that the National Health Insurance Scheme had increased the workload of health staff and workers have become punctual. Mrs. Azidega said the union had a membership of 1,884 nationwide and 42 branches in Brong Ahafo. The 45th anniversary celebration, she said, was necessary to enable members to acknowledge its contributions to their welfare, especially, in the area of salary negotiations and other conditions of service. Mrs. Judith Yewoenao, National President of the Women's Committee of the Union, told the GNA a number of activities had been lined up for two-day regional celebration. She said Mr. Joseph Kwame Ankamah, regional secretary of TUC, was expected to speak on the theme: "Using Trade Unionism to bring health workers together for quality health care delivery," at a symposium whilst the Deputy Regional Director of Clinical Care would also speak on: "The role of the health worker in quality assurance in the health institution". Mrs. Yewoenao said a durbar would be held at Takoradi, the Western Regional capital, on Friday, September 10, to climax the national weeklong celebrations. She said the regional celebration was the first of its kind and would be observed every year to showcase activities of the union and urged members to lend their support. Led by Mrs. Azidega, more than 60 members of the Union weeded bushy areas and swept and picked plastic waste at the premises of the hospital. The Union later presented oranges, toilet rolls and soaps worth GHC 150 for distribution to inmates at the hospital. Mr. Kingsley Osei Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, thanked the union for the gesture and appealed to other organisations for such support. 07 Sept. 10