Ankaful Nurses Reject Minister’s Plea; Declare Strike

The nurses at the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital have declared a full-blown strike to back their demands for the removal of their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Eugene Dordorye.

The move came two days after Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman- Manu pleaded for time to fix the challenges at the facility.

The workers say they want the “immediate dismissal” of Dr Dordorye over what they say is his “poor human relation.”

The spokesperson for the striking nurses, Emmanuel Ofori told Joy News their demand is not open to negotiation or discussion.

“The Minister must act swiftly,” the nurses chorused.

The Health Minister had asked for “three-months” to fix the difficulties between the nurses and the CEO of the Hospital.

The nurses claim Dr Dordorye’s poor human relations is stymieing progress at the facility.

They declared a sit-down strike last Thursday that saw patients denied access to basic services.

After a crisis meeting on Tuesday, Mr Agyeman Manu pleaded with the workers to give him time to assess the situation, before taking any action.

But the nurses have declared a full-blown strike escalating a month-old dispute between them and their CEO.

Under the strike no patient will be treated, the nurses said.

But Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee Dr Kwabena Twum Nuamah has described the action of the nurses as “blackmail.”

He said rather than shutting down services at the facility, the nurses should make their grievances known to the Minister.

Dr Twum Nuamah appealed to the striking nurses to reason with the Health Minister to restore calm at the Hospital.

Source: Myjoyonline