The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has given the government a one-week ultimatum to address conditions of service concerns of its members, otherwise, members will withdraw services from November 18.

The Association gave the warning when it addressed journalists at the end of its 61 annual conference in Northern Region capital, Tamale.

“A one-week window is hereby offered Government (MoH) that is, if by 1800 hours GMT on 17th November 2019, the Conditions of Service Document for Medical Doctors/Dentists working with the Ministry of Health and its agencies has not been signed off for implementation effective 1st January 2020…”

A communique read by the National President of GMA, Dr Frank Akobea, said the government has refused to honour its pledge as agreed on the Document signed in September 2015.

He said even though the implementation date of the Document was supposed to have started from 1st January 2016 through to December 31, 2018, that was not done.

He added that before the expiration of the agreement, GMA engaged government with the view to renewing the said document to no avail. 

Dr Akobea said from November 18, 2019 to 1st December 2019 all Medical Doctors and Dentists working in the public sector will withdraw Outpatient Department (OPD) services.

On December 2, all emergency services shall be withdrawn, he said, adding “from Monday, December 9, all services shall be totally withdrawn.”