Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Justice Yankson says they are not moved by the 48-hour ultimatum given by the Health Minster for them to return to work.

He says until the striking doctors have in their hands a signed document detailing their conditions of service, they will remain on strike.

Speaking to Joy News’ Fred Smith, Dr Yankson said, “we will go back to the workplace when our conditions of service are duly negotiated and signed. We are saying that it is conditions of service, or no work.

“Our position is simple, no conditions of service, no work. Deadline or no deadline, that is not our business”, he added.

The Health Minster, Alex Segbefia at a press conference to outline government’s emergency plans to deal with the effects of the strike by doctors on Wednesday ordered that the return to work on Thursday.

He said it will be impossible for government to negotiate with the doctors if they are on strike.

But Dr Yankson said the only basis for their relationship with their employer is their conditions of service so there will be no reason to return to work if there is none.

“If we go back today, what is the basis for our relationship with the employer at that said time that we are working? 

He said the doctors will withdraw their services if their conditions of service is not made available and “we will not go hungry."

The strike by the doctors has entered its third week.

The health Minister in his address Tuesday at the conference said government has planned to retain Cuban doctors who are on rotation in Ghana.

About 177 more of them are expected in the country in the coming weeks to augment efforts by doctors at quasi-government hospitals who have found it increasingly stressful to deal with the pressure that has come about as a result of the strike.

Some retired doctors will also be called in to assist in healthcare delivery.