President John Evans Atta Mills has assured the nation that his government is doing everything possible to contain the fall outs of the ongoing strike by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA). The President said his priority in this situation among others is to protect life by ensuring that adequate alternate measures are put in place to address emergency cases and the general wellbeing of patients even in the face of the crisis. A statement released and signed by the acting Minister of Health, Haruna Iddrisu on Monday morning said, the President has directed the scaling up of capacity at the 37 Military Hospital and the Ghana Police Hospital where the strike does not extend. He has also asked that the Medical Reception Centres of the Military in the Garrisons at Ho, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Sunyani and Accra hold themselves in readiness to assist in the containment measures. According to the statement, other actions which have been carried out include: a. Directive from the Ghana Health Service to Medical Superintendants to maintain emergency services and ensure Hospitals and Health centres operate. Currently Medical Assistants and Physician Assistants continue to see OPD cases in their various facilities and are encouraged to continue to do so. Medical Superintendants have given their indication through their Regional Chairpersons that they are continuing to see emergency cases. b. Medical Assistants and Physician Assistants are mandated to run emergency services in all Ghana Health Service Health Institutions. c. Medical teams engaged in relief support have been assured a special motivation. The President is said to have expressed his appreciation to some doctors and specialists including the Cuban Medical Brigade who have held the fort so far. The President added that more of such patriotic gestures were welcome and that other doctors and specialists who want to be engaged could get in touch with the Acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service, CEO of Korle Bu, CEO of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, CEO of Tamale Teaching Hospital and Regional Directors of Health. The President assured that such efforts would not go unrewarded. The statement further said, the recruitment of these personnel would be helpful in the President’s containment measures in scaling up of Medical personnel across the country including the 37 Military Hospital, Police Hospital, KATH, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, La General Hospital, LEKMA Hospital at Teshie and Ridge Hospital. Government has directed the Central Medical Stores to immediately release additional medical supplies to identified medical facilities across the country. The Ghana Ambulance Service has also been asked to stand in readiness at the various referral points so that emergency cases can be transferred to appropriate containment centres. Additionally, the President encouraged Faith-based health institutions across the country to continue with their exemplary efforts even as they support the President’s emergency measures. National Health Insurance Health Providers have also received directions to support the emergency arrangement. The President repeated his call on the GMA to return to work especially as the law does not permit them to engage in strike actions considering that they are essential service providers. On the part of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the President asked that they ensure they maintain an open door and continuous engagement with the leadership of the GMA and other Professional Unions and Associations in the Health Sector. The President finally appealed to the nation to rededicate ourselves to timeless Ghanaian values of fellow feeling, respect for life and love for humanity.