Following the latest notice given by members of the Government Hospitals Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) to embark on a nationwide strike action, the Minister for Health, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has advised members of the association not to withdraw their services as a tool for seeking redress to their grievances.

At a marathon meeting with Mr Bagbin in his office on Monday, he acknowledged with gratitude the co-operative attitude of the executives and the entire membership of GHOSPA throughout the long and tortuous process of negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the facilitation role of the Ministry of Health from September, 2011 to date.

In a press statement issued by the ministry, he stated that a lot had already been achieved towards a final and more enduring solution to the whole issue of premiums and distortions in the relativities of the salary structure for GHOSPA members. He, therefore, called on the FWSC to expedite action on the matter.

The Minister asked the members to exercise a little bit more patience to allow the relevant authorities to find a final and lasting solution to their grievances. He further appealed to the GHOSA to consider the interest of the patients who queue up daily at their facilities for medicines as uppermost in their profession. Mr Bagbin called on all parties to the negotiations to be mindful of utterances and conduct that could draw back the progress made so far.