A stakeholders’ meeting to resolve concerns of striking doctors of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has ended conclusively.
Present at the meeting were representatives of Managment of KATH, Danyame Redevelopment Committee, the doctors and the private developers.
The representatives of the doctors present at the meeting, though satisfied with the outcome, say they will have to consult the generality of their members to determine their next line of action.
Dr Michael Leat, Chairman of KATH Doctors’ Association said, “It was a good discussion and once what we are looking for appears to be sorted out, we are satisfied. But the decision to completely resume our services depends on our general assembly, that is, for the doctors to decide.”
The doctors embarked on the strike action to go out in search of accommodation as their current places of abode has been given out for redevelopment.
They claim the constant eviction threat issued by the new landlords to some of them, does not give them the right frame of mind to work.
Pursuant to the strike action which commenced March 13, with the exception of emergency cases, all other cases were not attended to by the doctors.
Consequently, patients who went to the Hospital for medical attention on Wednesday were left stranded.
Kwame Frimpong, Director of Public Relations at KATH assured that, “All the concerns of the doctors including alleged harassment by the developers, eviction without alternative accommodation, and fear of not getting allocation in the new apartment under construction, have been addressed.”
Mr Frimpong said, “We are hoping that, given these assurances, the doctors will reverse their decision and resume their services when they meet.”
Background
The doctors are being evicted from their current official residence at Danyame to pave way for redevelopment.
The doctors argued that they are not against the redevelopment but want a proper relocation arrangement.
They’ve indicated that until the accommodation issue is resolved, they won’t resume duty.
At the main Out-Patient-Department (OPD) of the hospital, many patients were visibly frustrated.
“I came all the way from Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region to seek medical care, but unfortunately I have to return home without being attended to because doctors are on strike. This is really frustrating”, Ishmael Owusu lamented.
Just like Ishmael, several other persons had to return home disappointed.
“I have an appointment with the doctor today, but I’ve been here for the past 3 hours without being attended to. The nurses came to tell us doctors are not working today. So I’m waiting for a new date before I go home. If this is not resolved soon, some of us might end up dying”, 62-year-old Agnes Antwi said.
Managers of the hospital have however intervened to ensure the doctors attend to emergency cases.
A meeting which will be attended by representatives of Management, the doctors association, Lands Commission, and the Regional Coordinating Council is scheduled to be held later in the day to address the issue.
Source link
