Kumasi: Anesthetists strike taking a toll on healthcare delivery

The industrial action by the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists has started biting in some health facilities within the Ashanti region. At the Manhyia District Hospital, all surgery related cases have been suspended due to the absence of the anesthetists. A surgeon at the facility, Dr Michael Opoku admitted the strike is taking a toll on healthcare delivery at the facility. [caption id="attachment_12430" align="alignnone" width="885"] Dr Michael Opoku[/caption] “In the absence of the anesthetists, all surgical cases are not being handled, and this is crippling service here. Cases that could have been managed here are now being referred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.” Dr. Opoku pleaded with government to dialogue with the striking anesthetists to resolve the impasse. “We are appealing to the authorities to sit down with the anesthetists to bring amicable solution to this impasse” The story is not different at the Suntreso Government Hospital, where all surgical cases are referred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Members of the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists laid down their tools to protest a decision by the Medical and Dental Council to change their name to Physician Assistants. This, they say will affect their professional progression. Speaking to 3news.com, President of the Association James Nwinsagara said they will resist any attempt by the Medical and Dental Council to change their name. “The Certified Registered Anesthetists is like any other professional in the country who needs the power to sit and bargain with the employer. Attaching assistant to my name limits my scope and power of bargaining and my status as certified registered anesthetist. We will resist it today and tomorrow. Change is not negotiable because it will affect our professional progression”. The move, he added, is a clear violation of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act 857. Until the decision for name change is reversed, the anesthetists will continue to stay out of work, he said. Meanwhile, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, anesthesia services were being rendered when 3news visited. The hospital’s management says contingency plans have been put in place to minimize the effect of the strike by the certified registered anesthetists. Some group of doctor anesthetists referred to as anesthesiologists have taken over the job of the striking anesthetists. By Ibrahim Abubakar | 3news.com]]>