Our strike is not illegal; govt rather flouting rules - GMA
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has responded to government’s announcement of a contingency plan to fly in Cuban doctors to provide health care for Ghanaians in the wake of a strike action by public sector doctors.
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According to the GMA, they have no qualms with the move but noted that the Cuban doctors would not be engaged for free.
They therefore questioned why government would opt to go for a plan of that nature rather than focusing on meeting the demands of the doctors to solve the problem once and for all,
In a press statement issued and signed on Wednesday by Dr Kwabena Opoku-Adusei and Dr Frank Serebour, President and General Secretary, the GMA said the irony of the matter was that the Cuban doctors were better paid than their Ghanaian counterparts and are engaged under proper conditions of service.
The doctors withdrew parts of their services nationwide three weeks ago in protest against a lack of negotiated and signed Conditions of Service Document for doctors in the public sector.
This has brought pressure on quasi-government hospitals such as the 37 Military and Police hospitals in Accra. Elsewhere in the country, patients are struggling to get the needed health care services in government hospitals.
As part of a contingency plan to take care of the situation, government on Tuesday announced that processes were ongoing for about 177 Cuban doctors to be brought into the country to assist in healthcare delivery as the ongoing strike by the doctors enters its third week.
In addition, government also said it has decided to retain about 16 Cuban doctors who have completed their term and are due to return to Cuba in order to reduce the pressure in quasi-government hospitals.
But responding to the development, the GMA said the Cuban doctors have access to fully furnished accommodation, free utilities, fuel, free healthcare and an air ticket to travel once a year back home to visit their families. “They have an office at the Ministry of Health and have cars allotted to them.”
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“The question the GMA will like to ask is that, why is the Ghanaian doctor discriminated against even in his country by our own government? Will these Press Conferences and adhoc decisions solve the problem at hand?”
Illegal strike
On government’s description of their strike action as illegal, the GMA said as far as they were concerned, their strike action was not illegal.
“It is rather baffling that it is only when doctors withdraw their services that they are described as being essential“, the doctors said and questioned, “how come that, the so-called essential services do not deserve conditions of service as stipulated in the Labour Act 2003.”
“It is the firm belief of the GMA that, if there is any illegality, it is first the government of Ghana that has perpetuated the illegality on the doctors by employing doctors without providing them with Conditions of Service, which is a fragrant violation of the Labour Act.”
Allegations of divisions in GMA
On allegations of division in the doctor’s front, the GMA asked its members to disregard any information circulating on social media and other media platforms suggesting that a breakaway group has been formed from the association.
“It is a vile propaganda with no basis. This is a deliberate attempt by our detractors to create division on our front. We will like to inform our members to be resolute in their resolution to support the leadership of the GMA in the quest to secure a negotiated and signed Conditions of Service.”
Threats to GMA members
“There have been various threats to our members since this industrial action started. Indeed some government communicators have openly on radio asked armed robbers to attack doctors. Detailing the addresses of where doctors live. No government officials have come out to condemn this action but rather appear to silently support these threats,” the statement said.
“The GMA takes these threats seriously and are putting in all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of its members,” it added. “The fight for conditions of service is for doctors in this generation and the next.”
It called on members in management positions to desist from also threatening junior colleagues and in some instances forcing them to work against their will. They are reminded that, they will not stay on forever as managers and as a result whatever gains the GMA may make out of this fight for conditions of service will be to their benefit either today or tomorrow. The GMA may be forced to take tougher stance against such members if they persist with these intimidations.”
Allegations of doctors against the strike
It said the attention of the GMA has been drawn to some publications in the media indicating that there are sections of doctors who are against the ongoing industrial action by the GMA. The GMA will like to state emphatically that, during the extra-ordinary general meeting held on Friday August 14. 2015, at no point did any member of the GMA indicate that, they do not support the action.
"The section of membership that is purported to have voted against the action, never did so. They only suggested a variation in the action (Reinstatement of Emergency Services for two weeks only) which was not accepted by the overwhelming majority present. The GMA is a democratic organization and as a result whatever decision is taken at the general assembly by the majority of members present is binding on every single member of the association.
CHAG Institutions and Quasi Government Institutions
It said doctors who work in these institutions are members of the GMA. The GMA is at this moment calling on all these members of the association to stand up and be counted. They should not allow the Minister to use them as bargaining chips in this fight for Conditions of Service.
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"As much as they may be working in institutions that make it somehow difficult for them to join this ongoing action by their colleagues in the Public Sector, it is important for all us to note that our profession is under siege and we must raise up to defend it."
"The legacy of this noble profession in all aspects should be passed on to the next generation. In unity we stand and no intimidations and threat can break us."
Threats, Intimidation and Ultimatums
The GMA said it was unfortunate that the Minister in one breath appeals to doctors to return to work whiles he turns round to issue ultimatums and threats through letters and administrative fiats to the various institutional heads.
"The GMA will like to assure all its members that these threats and intimidations should not in any way water down our resolve in seeking for a proper documented and negotiated Conditions of Service."
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"All members, including those working in the district hospitals should stick to the roadmap; continue to attend to only in-patients whiles withdrawing out-patients and emergency services and stay tuned for directions from leadership."