Ghana Medical Association suspends strike

Doctors have suspended their strike pending outcome of negotiations with the National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Opoku Adusei who spoke to Joy News threatened they will employ a more stringent measure if the outcome of negotiations do not favour doctors.

A visit to the Korle bu teaching hospital saw most doctors at post, providing care to patients who were happy to see doctors back at work.

One patient Sylvia Appiah Kubi told us ''I came to the hospital at 6: am and met a long queue, however by 9:am, they had attended to majority of us. I am excited. The doctors coming back, is a great relief to us. I pray government reviews their salaries so they can work better''

Doctors who have been on strike on Monday February 11, 2013 after the GMA issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to fix disparities in salaries of doctors resumed work Wednesday February 13.

The decision to suspend the strike was reached after negotiations with the National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to review the problem with the interim market premium.

The group had been waiting for a guideline for payment of their interim market premium applicable for the year 2012. The interim market premium is expected to review the incentives of doctors upward.

President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Opoku Adusei who opted to speak off camera said they are awaiting on the fair wages and salaries commission to implement what all stakeholders have agreed on otherwise they will lay down their tools again.

Officer in charge of grievances at the fair wages and salaries commission, Cornelius Yawson who also spoke off camera said, they are in the process of implementing the new guideline for the interim market premium for doctors.