Flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo has described as \u201cabsurd\u201d claims by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) that his party\u00a0instigated the doctors’ strike.<\/p>\n
Doctors in the public sector laid down their tools about two week ago to demand their conditions of service.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”Es3piQ8hXaRaACVhAqbcUJHTSgjBQwvo”]Several negotiations between the striking doctors and government have failed to produce any positive results.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, several government spokespersons including a vice chairperson of the NDC, Anita De Soso have insisted that the NPP was \u2018pushing\u2019 the doctors to make \u201coutrageous demands.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Nana in a statement rejected the\u00a0claims saying \u201cit is absurd that some members of government are seeking to politicise this strike by portraying the NPP as being the instigators. It is an insult to the intelligence and integrity of the thousands of doctors in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the only path to a resolution of the problem is for both parties to return to the negotiation table.<\/p>\n
“The doctors are negotiating to get the best terms as possible for their members, but they are not unreasonable nor are they economically illiterate. They are not unaware of the dire economic situation that Ghana is in as the result of the reckless mismanagement by this government. It is for this reason that they have stated that their proposals are for the 2016 budget. This should give government ample space to consider and, after negotiations are concluded, incorporate what is agreed in the 2016 budget,” he added.<\/p>\n
Nana Addo further charged the government negotiators to\u00a0deal with the doctors “as patriotic, knowledgeable, mature adults. The media war and selective leaking of negotiating documents should cease. The intimidation and threats should cease and the name calling should cease.”<\/p>\n
“The problem we face will not be solved even if all retired doctors should be drafted into our hospitals; the prospect of hiring retired doctors should therefore not be held out as part of the negotiations. The solution does not lie in asking people to go to private medical centres that accept National Health Insurance; many such institutions are already opting out of the scheme with the continued difficulty in paying for the services.”<\/p>\n
“There cannot, and there will not be a resolution other than getting the doctors back to work. There is nothing to be gained from trying to call the bluff of the doctors. It is in all our interests that a negotiated settlement is found as quickly as possible. That will only happen when both sides go back to the table and negotiate in an atmosphere of mutual respect and a realization of the urgency of the situation.”<\/p>\n
The NPP flag bearer also urged\u00a0President John Mahama not to hide behind the IMF bailout programme “to frustrate these important negotiations.”<\/p>\n
“In the meantime, precious lives are being lost and a sense of fear and helplessness is pervading our nation. Our healthcare situation is not good even at the best of times and this standoff between the government and the GMA aggravates an already perilous state of affairs. Accidents and diseases are no respecter of persons or titles and we are all at risk and cannot afford to have the strike drag on. As the GMA meets on Friday, I pray that they be guided by their known professionalism and I urge the members to go back to the hospitals to demonstrate the goodwill that they have always displayed.”<\/p>\n
“The Government on its part should realize that in matters of life and death, no one has the right to walk away from negotiating. I urge Government, and the Ghana Medical Association, to sit down until an agreement is reached. An agreement can be reached and must be reached,” he added.<\/p>\n
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By: Godwin A. Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n