Striking pharmacists at public hospitals say they will completely withdraw their services including emergency services if government does not meet their demands in 10 working days.
The Government Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) says its 10-day ultimatum to government ends in 10 days.
At a press conference Tuesday, GHOSPA said it would be withdrawing emergency as well as in-patient services from tomorrow with the hope that government would give in to their demands.
GHOSPA is continuing its strike following a breakdown in negotiations with government over their Interim Market Premium, Grade Structure Placement, and Conditions of Service.
Earlier, pharmacists in state-run hospitals across the country had served notice they will intensify their strike if government fails to heed their demands.
The strike has left patients in dire need of medications struggling to stay alive as critically ill patients are left stranded in some government health facilities.
According to GHOSPA, it finds it regrettable that government is not engaging them formally to resolve the impasse.
At its press conference held at the International Press Center in Accra, GHOSPA said its strike is not targeted at patients but rather the government.
GHOSPA claims it has been negotiating with government for the past six years but the authorities haven't shown a commitment to address their concerns - all promises to them have been broken.
The striking pharmacists said they want a formal commitment from government to assure them that their demands will be met.
The leadership of GHOSPA said it is waiting for a national delegate conference to decide what their next line of action would be, but in the interim they will withdraw all service from tomorrow.
Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrissu, has appealed to the striking pharmacists to return to work.
Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show Tuesday, the minister explained that government was not in the position to grant GHOSPA’s request.
He said in order to save lives, they should return to work as they are still in the service of government and the Ghana Health Service.
"We will look into their issue in 2017; this year our compensation budgets have been stretched to its limits," he promised.
Latest Stories
-
Dollarise Ghana’s economy to curb cedi depreciation – IEA’s Dr Kwakye suggests
6 mins -
Parts of UK immigration law not valid in Northern Ireland, High Court rules
14 mins -
Yellow diamond brooch resembling Queen Elizabeth’s up for auction
17 mins -
Nigerian gunmen seek talks after abducting dozens, families say
21 mins -
Senegal’s president hosts Kagame at basketball game
24 mins -
Sea Defense Project: Phase Two in Ketu South to commence soon
28 mins -
MFWA expresses disappointment with journalists underutilising RTI Law
29 mins -
Nigerian student sues school after viral bullying video – Reports
1 hour -
20 pupils narrowly escape after school building collapses following heavy rains
1 hour -
Kenya delays school reopening as flood death toll rises
2 hours -
Saudi Arabia postpones execution of Kenyan man
2 hours -
Teenage winger Yamal nets opener as Barca beats Sociedad
2 hours -
Inside StarLife Assurance: A perspective of excellence through internship
2 hours -
Postecoglou says ‘100% of fans’ want to beat Man City
3 hours -
Kidnapped Nigerian university students rescued
3 hours