ACCRA, Oct 3 (The African Portal) – Ghana’s Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA-GH) said on Friday its members will withdraw services nationwide next week in protest over months of unpaid salaries and delays in posting medical officers.
The group said more than 200 junior doctors have worked for 10 to 14 months without pay, while several medical officers previously on the payroll had their salaries halted “without explanation.” It added that over 800 medical officers have been awaiting placement for more than a year.
“Despite repeated engagements with authorities and goodwill shown towards the government, no solutions have been offered,” the association said in a statement.
Outpatient services will be suspended from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9, while emergency services will be withdrawn from Oct. 10 until further notice, the group said. Inpatients will continue to receive care until discharge, but no new admissions will be taken.
“The continued exploitation of junior doctors will no longer be tolerated,” the statement added, saying the Ministry of Health and the government would be responsible for any disruption in healthcare delivery.
The association urged authorities to act immediately to address the grievances.