PAs Strike: NLC Issues 28-Day Ultimatum to Ministry of Health 

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has issued a 28-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Health to address the concerns raised by physician assistants currently on strike.

In a meeting held to discuss the issues raised by the physician assistants, the NLC made this decision, seeking to find a resolution to the ongoing strike.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the National President of the Ghana Physician Assistants Association, Peter Akuduge Ayamba, expressed the association’s dissatisfaction with the government’s approach and the delay in addressing their concerns.

He stated, “The National Labour Commission heard us and directed that within 28 days, they should engage us and report on how to address the concerns we have raised. We are not happy as an association with the government’s posture, and the fact that they have been dragging their feet all this while. It was because of that that we are where we are now.”

In an interview on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso with George Adjei on August 2, the immediate past General Secretary of the regional chapter of the association, Richard Nti Okai explained that the proposed amendment was ‘smuggled’ to parliament because Ghana Medical and Dental Council (GMDC) never sought their views.

“PAs have a  representative on with the GMDC but he was never informed of such an amendment. GMDC claims that the decision to amend was made even before our representative joined them. Our issue is, he could have still been informed before it was taken to parliament. We got to know of it through the media. We just want it withdrawn.” he said.

The Association initiated the nationwide industrial strike in response to discrimination experienced in their profession.

The strike was triggered by an intercepted document proposing an amendment to Act 857 of the Health Professionals Regulatory Bodies Act by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (GMDC).

The association opposes the proposed amendment as it would potentially subject the profession of Physician Assistants to the direction and supervision of a Medical Doctor.

This opposition forms the basis of their current strike action.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso