Minister Warns KATH Staff Over Strikes

Dr Mrs Gyikua Plange-Rhule receiving a dummy cheque for emerging as the overall KATH Best Staff for 2013

HEALTH WORKERS at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have been sternly cautioned against embarking on industrial action as the means of drumming home their grievances.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, sounding the warning, pointed out that industrial action has adverse effects on the people, notably those seeking treatment at the hospital and the country in general.

He, therefore, admonished health workers to always choose dialogue ahead of industrial action whenever they seek improvement in their welfare or any other pressing issue.

'May I also seize this opportunity to commend medical professionals for the peaceful atmosphere that had prevailed in the health front so far and urge you to continue to yourselves to industrial peace to avoid the unnecessary suffering and deaths that are usually associated with strike actions.'

Mr Sarpong was addressing the health workers during the 2013 KATH Best Staff Awards and Inter-Directorate/Unit Sports Festival held at the Opoku Ware School at Santse, Kumasi, on Monday.

A total number of 126 staff members who have served the hospital for over 30 years, in the case of doctors, and 35 years and above, for other category of staff, were awarded by KATH management.

In addition, a total of 17 hard working staff selected from the professional category were also honoured for their exceptional output which had helped transformed the hospital to its current state.

The minister also cautioned health workers in the country against becoming complacent over the deadly Ebola disease which has been claiming human lives in other West African countries.

'Indeed, even though Ghana is yet to record a confirmed case, we must avoid complacency and always be on alert,' Mr Sarpong stated, urging health workers to corporate and support plans implemented to deal with the disease.

Acting KATH CEO, Mr Gyimah announced several interventions being put in place by management to better the lives the hospital's staff, announcing that staff provident insurance instituted to secure the future of staff when they go on retirement had hit GH ¢8.8 million.

He explained that sporting activities, for the first time in the hospital's history, preceded the KATH Best Staff Awards this year, ostensibly, to promote the physical nature of KATH's staff.

Dr Mrs Gyikua Plange-Rhule, who picked the Best Consultant/Senior Specialist Award, was also adjudged as the overall KATH Best Worker for 2013 and she took home a staggering GH ¢10,000, a certificate and other prizes.

This year's awards ceremony was sponsored by Western Pharmacy Limited who supported KATH with items and cash amounting to GH ¢30,000. The various winners took home television sets, fridges and other home appliances.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi