Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has disclosed that health workers in universities have not yet received their tax waivers for their contribution to the national fight against COVID-19.

Dr Titus Beyuo explained that this may be because the definition of a health worker remains unresolved between government and the Health Ministry.

Although “the incentive package for the past waiver (April - June) has been implemented for those with the Ministry of Health, a few others are yet to fully receive for instance health workers with the universities who are providing clinical services,” he said speaking on JoyNews’ Beyond The Lockdown, Sunday evening.

This comes after the President’s announcement during the 13th address to the nation that it has been resolved.

In the President’s 5^th address to the state concerning the national effort towards the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, he announced an incentive package for ‘frontline health workers’.

It included among many others, three months tax-free emoluments for all health workers from April to June, free bus rides to and from the workplace for all health workers in the locked-down areas and 50% of basic salary as an additional allowance over the next three months.

But there were issues regarding whom among the health service providers was a health worker as many Associations with the fraternity said they have been sidelined per the Health Ministry's definition.

Surprised that President Akufo-Addo noted that a definition has been given to a who a health worker is, Dr Beyuo insisted that that information regarding the basic salary bonus is yet to be relayed to medical professionals across the country because the definition remains “problematic”.

“I think what has challenges has been the 50% basic salary bonus which the President has rightly said had challenges with the definition. Surprisingly he says he has been informed that has been resolved but the information we have picked from across the country is that the definition is still problematic,” he said.

Dr Titus Beyuo, however, looks forward to a resolve for the definition of a health worker as the President has said and welcomed the extension of incentives for all health workers.

“We welcome the extension in appreciation of the work we are doing. We are grateful,” he said.