The Minority caucus in parliament has strongly criticized the government for its failure to address the ongoing strike by the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), which started on June 17.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, expressed his disappointment in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, June 20. He called on the government to take immediate action to resolve the strike, noting the significant impact it is having on public healthcare.
“The insensitivity and irresponsibility of this government has become legendary. I believe that in matters of health, the government should act promptly because it concerns lives,” Akandoh emphasized.
The members of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union initiated the strike on June 17 to protest the government’s delay in addressing their working conditions. As a result, patients at public health facilities are left stranded, with some having to seek more expensive lab services at private facilities.
Akandoh highlighted the economic hardships faced by healthcare workers, leading them to seek better opportunities elsewhere. He stressed that the government has a constitutional obligation to provide healthcare to every citizen and should therefore address the needs of the lab workers.
The strike by MELPWU has raised concerns about the government’s response to the healthcare sector and its impact on essential services for the public. It is imperative for the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the striking workers to find a resolution that ensures the continued provision of quality healthcare services to all citizens.
