Liberian doctors and dentists are pledging to strike in support of some of their colleagues who have been removed from the national payroll.
According to the Daily Observer, the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA) and Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) are calling for the reinstatement of 46 doctors who were deleted from the payroll and classified as ghost workers. They are also protesting against a three-month delay in paying a range of incentives to 40 interned doctors.
Addressing a news conference, the president of LMDA Dr Louise M. Kpoto, and the chairperson of LMDC Dr Linda Birch, expressed frustration over the removal of the licensed doctors from payroll. They have all completed their internships and are currently working in various counties undertaking intensive Emergency Obstetric Care.
LGMA secretary general Dr Jonathan Hart said that an additional 100 doctors have yet to be added to the payroll and that about 40 interns have not been paid the incentives owed to them for three months.
"These actions of the government over the years (and recent actions) led to a resolution passed and adopted by the LMDA... calling on the minister of health to make immediate payment of arrears and reinstate those doctors removed from the incentive and salary [scheme]... and regularise the incentive and salary structure of those doctors affected, no later than May 30," he said.
In the resolution, the doctors called for better salaries, insurance and other benefits to be developed by means of a policy document. They are also demanding that the salary scheme agreed between themselves and the government be implemented.
The doctors likewise want graduates on intern programmes to receive the full range of incentives, and for all health facilities to be upgraded to the minimum standard agreed for the essential package of health services.
The doctors have threatened serious consequences if implementation is delayed such as a full boycott of all health facilities in July. They are also calling on the public to prepare for a major health crisis if the government fails to meet their demands.
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
Liberian doctors and dentists are pledging to strike in support of some of their colleagues who have been removed from the national payroll.
According to the Daily Observer, the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA) and Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) are calling for the reinstatement of 46 doctors who were deleted from the payroll and classified as ghost workers. They are also protesting against a three-month delay in paying a range of incentives to 40 interned doctors.
Addressing a news conference, the president of LMDA Dr Louise M. Kpoto, and the chairperson of LMDC Dr Linda Birch, expressed frustration over the removal of the licensed doctors from payroll. They have all completed their internships and are currently working in various counties undertaking intensive Emergency Obstetric Care.
LGMA secretary general Dr Jonathan Hart said that an additional 100 doctors have yet to be added to the payroll and that about 40 interns have not been paid the incentives owed to them for three months.
"These actions of the government over the years (and recent actions) led to a resolution passed and adopted by the LMDA... calling on the minister of health to make immediate payment of arrears and reinstate those doctors removed from the incentive and salary [scheme]... and regularise the incentive and salary structure of those doctors affected, no later than May 30," he said.
In the resolution, the doctors called for better salaries, insurance and other benefits to be developed by means of a policy document. They are also demanding that the salary scheme agreed between themselves and the government be implemented.
The doctors likewise want graduates on intern programmes to receive the full range of incentives, and for all health facilities to be upgraded to the minimum standard agreed for the essential package of health services.
The doctors have threatened serious consequences if implementation is delayed such as a full boycott of all health facilities in July. They are also calling on the public to prepare for a major health crisis if the government fails to meet their demands.
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
