Doctors strike: Cuban doctors to the rescue

Government is importing doctors from Cuba as part of measures to reduce the effect of the doctors strike. 

The Ministry of Health has signed an agreement with the Cuban government for the supply of more doctors for the country. The agreement will also see Cuba training 250 doctors from Ghana. 

At the Signing the agreement on Tuesday the Health Minister, Sherry Ayitey said “it is a renewal of the government’s commitment to have the wide doctor patient ratio bridged.”

According to her, the Cuban doctors have always supported the health ministry since the size of the population outnumbers the of doctors the country produces.

“The total number of doctors that we have currently is about 2,843, and the population of Ghana is 25 million, and if you work it out, it is almost like one doctor to 10,000 people. And this is not the best if we have to provide quality health care. So we have been receiving doctors from Cuba in the public health sector and they support rural health care and some specialist surgeons who also assist in the Korle Bu teaching hospital and Okomfo Anokye teaching hospital,’ she said

The Cubans are expected to support doctors at the 37 and Police Hospitals who have been working extra hours to take care of patients as a result of the ongoing strike. 

Some of the Cuban doctors will also be sent to various hospitals across the country. 

Doctors have said they will only end their 3-week strike when the government issues a written commitment for the payment of conversion difference and salary arrears.
 
Source: Citifmonline