The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has served notice that it will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from Today, May 26, 2021.
This action is in solidarity with their members at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) who began a one-week sit-down strike last week to protest the posting of two medical officers to the Laboratory Services Directorate of the hospital.
Calls by the Ministry of Health and management of KATH for the scientists to resume work for dialogue to begin, have yielded no results.
Speaking in an interview with ATLFMNEWS, the Central Regional Chairman for the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Mr. Samuel Amoah indicated that, it is necessary to extend the strike nationwide because if the issue concerning the two medical health officers is not resolved, it could have the tendency of happening in other hospitals across the country which according to him will affect the work of laboratory scientists in their offering of better services to their patients.
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“If what is happening at KATH is not resolved it can spread to other labs in Ghana and if that happens it won’t help laboratory work. We want the public to know that it is not our will to go on strike knowing the impact it will have on patients but we are compelled to embark on this action so that the Ministry of Health will look for a lasting solution to the problem.”
He added that the main reason for the call by the KATH GAMLS for the appointment of the two medical officers to be withdrawn is that, these medical officers are regulated by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council and not the Allied Health Professionals Council which the soul regulatory agency mandated by law to regulate the training and practice of Medical Laboratory Science in Ghana. This he said makes it impossible for the doctors to work with them or act as their supervisors.
In a press statement by the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Chapter of the GAML they also noted “Anything that affects KATH affects colleagues in all teaching hospitals across the country and by extension the profession of Medical Laboratory Science affects us at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). We remain united behind leadership at KATH chapter and at the National level and are ready to join in this fight as may be directed by national.
According to them they are watching with keen interest and if by 26th May, 2021 nothing is done about the issue at KATH, they would have no option than to join the strike action.
SOURCE: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
