Doctors may return to work in 48 hours

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Parent Category: Health & Fitness

Created on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 00:00

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Doctors may call off their ten days old strike by close of day Wednesday, acting Health Minister Haruna Iddrisu has disclosed.

Speaking to Joy FM’s Dzifa Bampoh, the minister said the Fair Wages and Salary Commission (FWSC) is making headway in negotiating a deal with the aggrieved doctors and believed there is end in sight for the strike.

His disclosure follows hours of negotiation between the FWSC, government the Ghana Medical Association.

Doctors announced a nationwide strike to protest delays in migrating them onto the Single Spine Salary Structure.

A week later they withdrew all services including emergencies, accusing the Fair Wages and Salary Commission and government of showing little commitment in addressing their grievances.

Patients have suffered the painful experiences with some losing their lives in the period of the doctors’ action.

Several appeals have come from key personalities in the country, including President John Mills, for the doctors to return to work but that yielded little results.

On Tuesday, Acting Health Minister in an interview said there is light at the end of the tunnel and the doctors may soon return to work in 48 hours.

He would not disclose the details of the agreements entered into with the doctors but was hopeful they will return to work in 48 hours.

“I believe that on or before the end of the mandatory 48 hours the National Labour Commission gave the parties, the Fair Wages and the GMA tomorrow we should see an end to the action of the Ghana Medical Officers on the basis that the Fair Wages Commission have reviewed the figures and will make some proposals to the GMA and will subject themselves to arbitration,” he announced.

He however admitted challenges in implementing the SSSS policy which he said has serious implication on the wage bill.


Source: Ghana/Myjoyonline.com/Nathan Gadugah