GMA dares gov't to bring in Cuban doctors

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has dared government to bring in Cuban doctors to man public hospitals, as it has been suggested by the National Women's Organiser for the governing National Democratic Congress, Madam Anita Desooso.

Ms. Desooso on Tuesday expressed her frustration on Adom FM at the continuous resolve of the doctors to stay away from the consulting rooms, despite pleas from both government and the public.

The NDC Women's Orgnaiser therefore urged government to snub the GMA and recruit doctors from Cuba to replace the striking doctors. She said irrespective of the cost of flying in the doctors, it was necessary to prevent the citizens from dying.

But the General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Frank Siribour says the quality of service provided by some Cuban doctors practicing in Ghana cannot be matched to that which is delivered by Ghanaian doctors.

Dr. Siribuour claimed there are reports of people accusing the Cuban doctors of using their patients as “guinea pigs”.

“If Government wish, they should bring in the Cuban doctors and see what will happen; that's all,” he said. The GMA General Secretary noted that already, there is discrimination against Ghanaian doctors in terms of conditions of service.

He defended the position of the doctors, insisting that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission was rather holding the nation to ransom by failing to adhere to the agreement it entered with them [doctors].

Doctors have withdrawn emergency and out-patient services to patients, in demand for better conditions of service with regard to the Single Spine Salary Structure, about a year ago.

The strike has brought enormous pressure on some private hospitals due to the huge number of patients turning up in the hospitals creating congestion.

At least one person has been confirmed dead in Kumasi due to the strike. Authorities at the SDA Mission Hospital in Kumasi explained that the hypertensive patient died after he visited the facility but was seen and asked to go home due to unavailability of space to admit him.

His condition worsened at home and they rushed him back to the hospital but he was dead on arrival, Medical Director at the Hospital Dr. Agyeman Boateng said.

Story by Ghana/Adomonline.com/Afia Pokua