Cuban Doctors In Ghana Earn More Than Ghanaian Doctors – Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu

The Minority leader in Parliament and MP for Suame, Hon. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has hinted that, the 350 Cuban doctors currently in the country to support healthcare delivery earns more than what the Ghanaian doctors were demanding before they embarked on their one month strike.
According to him, an amount of twelve thousand five hundred cedis (GHC 12,500) was spent on each Cuban doctor when they visited the country last year, but currently they are likely to surpass what they were receiving last year.
“It’s true the Cuban doctors are here to work and are very hardworking, but what baffles me is that, our own doctors went on strike because of money, on the average how much do we pay our own doctors? For what I know, Ghanaian doctors don’t get more than three thousand cedis (30million).
“…but the Cubans in the country, last year on the average we spent about twelve thousand five hundred (125million) on each person every month whiles our own doctors were demanding for two thousand Ghana Cedis (20million) and government couldn’t pay them (the doctors). So if they (government) can offer 125million to Cuban doctors, then it’s not right see our doctors go on strike,” he said.
Three hundred and fifty (350) Cuban doctors are currently in the country to support healthcare delivery under a medical service and educational agreement between Ghana and Cuba.
The Cuban doctors according to the Minister of Health, Ms Sherry Ayittey, will not be paid salaries but rather receive monthly allowances and free accommodation during their stay in the country.
Speaking on Kumasi based Hello FM, Honorable Osei-Kyei Mensah is very optimistic of the tremendous good delivery of the Cuban doctors but his apprehension is why government was unable to negotiate with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) when they peril to embark on a strike.
“Undoubtedly, the Cuban doctors really work when they come, even where some of our doctors would not want to go in the villages, these Cuban doctors will volunteer to go. We should acknowledge the work of the Cuban doctors and I will not speak against any doctor in this country. We all accept the Cubans are hard working.
“…The fact is that, government is spending loads on the Cuban doctors. If government can pay Cuban doctors why can they pay the Ghana Medical Association when they were demanding for their allowances?” he quizzed
 
Credit: Peacefmonline