Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Nana Yaw Afriyie has bemoaned the ongoing nationwide strike by laboratory scientists.

Worried about the dire consequence of the industrial action on the Ghanaian populace, he pleaded with the striking health workers to call off their industrial action and petition Parliament over their concerns for an immediate resolution.

In an interview with JoyNews' Kwesi Parker-Wilson, he stated that the withdrawal of services could lead to loss of lives therefore the need for the Laboratory Scientists to return to their posts. 

“I am surprised that they have not seen the need to write a petition to us for us to have a meeting with them because we have worked with their National Association last year in the amendment of their Teaching Hospital Act.

"It is Parliament that pushes for representation on the Board of the Teaching Hospital. We are not part of the Ministry of Health, we are the legislative arm and we cannot speak for the Ministry. We are for the people and represent the people," he stated.  

His comment comes as a response to the declaration of a fully blown strike action by the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital over Management’s failure to withdraw the two physicians posted to their directorate.

The decision was made at an emergency meeting at KATH, Wednesday, May 26. This has seen several public hospitals across the country embark on an indefinite strike in solidarity with their colleagues at the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital.

Scores of patients, including pregnant women have been made to bear the brunt of the absence of the striking workers in various health institutions.

The Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee described the strike as disappointing and beseeched the health workers to reverse their decision and use other alternatives to seek redress.

"I am surprised they have not used that tool used to engage us to make sure that they were nominated to be part of the Board of the hospital. If they have issues with the CEO and the Minister, the people’s representatives [Parliament] should be able to resolve the matter so we can talk about it," he noted

He further revealed that plans are underway for a discussion with the agitated health workers to find a common ground and resolve the situation.