KEY POINTS
- A Member of Parliament questions the Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) decision to strike, claiming it endangers lives during the ongoing galamsey crisis.
- The MP suggests that Ghanaians are already at risk due to illegal mining (galamsey) and accuses the GMA of exacerbating the situation.
- The strike stems from unresolved issues between the government and the GMA, raising concerns over the health sector’s ability to provide care during a critical time.
A Ghanaian MP has vehemently condemned the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for going on a strike and described the association as being irresponsible in the discharge of its duties to Ghanaians.
Since the country is already on a national crisis over galamsey which means illegal mining, the MP asked the GMA if she wants to kill Ghanaians before the galamsey does.
The MP’s remarks have been made at a time when the citizens are increasingly becoming impatient with the health sector strike that has denied them crucial health services.
That is why the GMA’s strike also coming from the unresolved labor issues with the government only adds to the problem, as environmental and health deterioration caused by galamsey are already taking a toll on the population.
Ghanaians trapped between a health crisis and an environmental disaster
The MP’s argument reveals the current plight of Ghanaians. Most actors in the inequality relation engage in Illegal mining hence affecting the environment, water sources, and enhancing health risks for mining to enact positive change in these communities.
The fight against galamsey has become a national issue and many people are already suffering from respiratory diseases, water borne diseases and other diseases associated with polluted water and land.
In this regard, the MP criticized the timing of the GMA’s strike saying that Ghanaians are left helpless when medical care is most required. The strike by doctors and other medical workers has left health services across the country frozen with hospitals lacking doctors and patients denied access to treatment.
As reported by GhanaWeb, the MP asked the GMA whether it had thought through the implications of its actions, especially in light of the continued dangers of galamsey to health.
He said that the association should have engaged the government in negotiations instead of going on a strike since the current health crisis exacerbates the environmental and public health issues that are already affecting the citizens.
Open Questions between GMA and the Government
GMA’S decision of going on a strike is based on several outstanding issues with the government included; working conditions, remunerations, and poor alrights for health care persons. The association has complained of what it terms as the slow pace of the government to address their grievances and the general disregard of the health sector.
After several attempts of negotiation between the GMA and the government, the healthcare services are in a very delicate situation.
Despite the noble goal that the strike seeks to actualize through raising awareness of the issues to the government, it has exposed the patience to more danger especially those who seek health care in rural and hard-to-reach areas due to closure of public facilities.
The government on the other hand has called for restraint and asked the GMA to resume dialogue. Leaders have raised fears that the strike may degenerate into a health crisis especially at this time when the country is already battling with both the effects of the galamsey and a saturated health sector.
This is a call for cooperation and immediate solutions.
The MP’s comments are indicative of a burgeoning feeling that Ghana cannot afford any more turbulence in its health care system. Although acknowledging the reason for the GMA’s protest, he called on the government and the association to seek a short-term solution that would protect the lives of people.
The situation involving, galamsey and the outpouring of medical doctors have stretched the public health system in Ghana beyond its capacity, and it requires serious attention.
It is hoped that both parties will sit down and find a solution to the problems that are surrounding the health care needs of the people of Ghana as well as the problems that have been existing in the health care sector for years.
