The ongoing strike by the Government and Hospital Pharmacist Association (GHOSPA) has compelled out patients to desert the Koforidua Central Hospital.
On Tuesday morning, the Out Patient Department of the Hospital where hundreds of patients throng daily, was virtually empty as only few patients had showed up to receive medical services.
The pharmacy department of the hospital, which serves more than 600 people daily was empty, TV3’s Yvonne Neequaye reported, noting “the usually busy OPD section of the Regional Hospital had just few patients”.
“Some patients are yet to come to terms with the strike, she said, adding the situation has created a booming business for private pharmacies in the area who are cashing in on the strike that was declared Monday.
GHOSPA started the strike to push the government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to resolve issues with their market premium, unfair placement on the single spine salary structure and poor working conditions.
Deputy director of the Hospital, Dr Cardinal Newton, told TV3’s Yvonne Neequaye that special arrangement is being made for patients who are admitted at the various wards.
Collins Frimpong who operates the TC Pharmacy told TV3: “I got to know about the strike yesterday 4:00pm when patients came in with prescriptions from the hospital.
“Sales have gone up heavily since yesterday but the problem is some of the medicines are not found outside the hospital pharmacy. That has become a problem for majority of the patients,” Frimpong said.
A patient, Gladys Seidu said “The doctor told me the pharmacy department has gone on strike so I need to go out for my medicine. I did not know of any strike. I went to the hospital with my NHIS and did not have any money on me, only my transport fee.
“I had to call my mother to bring me some money. I do not know why they are on strike but if the government is aware, I plead with him to resolve any issues so that they can come back to work to reduce the burden patients are going through”.
By 3News|TV3|3news.com|Ghana