The coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professions-Ghana has suspended a planned demonstration against the Ministry of Health and the government.
The 2017/2018 batch of the group announced last week of their intended strike in protest of government’s delay in getting them their financial clearance, a guarantee for employment in the public sector.
They have been engaged by the government to aid in the contract tracing of persons exposed to the deadly Coronavirus infection.
Numbering about 500, these allied health professionals involved in the COVID-19 contact tracing pulled out of the exercise last week alleging unfair treatment and neglect by the Ministry of Health.
In a sharp U-turn, however, the group said a meeting has been scheduled with their mother union and the chief director of the Health Ministry on Monday.
“Our Council and Association President have told us to hold on with the demonstration. Because of the pandemic in the other places, we don’t know if there will be a lockdown there so we have been told to put on hold until the Ministry responds to us. We have a meeting with the Minister of Health and Chief Director for Health Service on Monday. So as such, we should hold on so that after their meeting then we can conclude on that,” said Erica Addo Vice President of the group, in an interview.
The decision by the group to withdraw their services could jeopardize Ghana’s Covid-19 fight.
While financial clearance has been given to recruit more nurses, the Ministry of Health has also recalled retired professionals to help contain the virus.
Already the country has outlined a number of measures including border closures and a partial lockdown in two major cities.
The country’s Covid-19 case count currently stands at 834 with nine deaths.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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