The nation’s healthcare sector faces an imminent crisis as the Junior Doctors’ Association of Ghana (JDA-GH) has declared a nationwide withdrawal of services, commencing next week.
The drastic industrial action is a direct and forceful response to what the Association terms “months of neglect and unfair treatment” by the government and relevant authorities.
The JDA-GH announced their decision in a scathing press release, highlighting the untenable situation where their members are being compelled to render essential services without appropriate remuneration, thereby compromising the integrity of public health delivery across the country.
The scale of the Association’s grievances is profound, painting a grim picture of systemic failure within the Ministry of Health.
The JDA-GH reports that over 200 Junior Doctors have been subjected to working between 10 to 14 months without receiving their lawful salaries.
The statement further details how other medical officers on the government’s payroll have had their remuneration arbitrarily halted without formal communication, compounding the financial hardship.
In addition to the paid staff crisis, a staggering figure of over 800 medical officers has been left in limbo, awaiting official posting for more than 16 months, despite their critical need in the health system.
The leadership emphasized that despite showing “good-will” and engaging in “repeated engagements” with authorities, no constructive solutions have been offered.
The action plan outlines a phased escalation of the strike, signaling the doctors’ firm resolve.
The initial withdrawal of all outpatient services is slated to begin on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, running through Thursday, before escalating to a full withdrawal of emergency services on Friday, October 10, 2025, until further notice.
The Association sternly warns that the “continued exploitation of junior doctors will no longer be tolerated,” and places the full “responsibility for any disruption of healthcare services squarely with the Ministry of Health and the Government of Ghana.”
The JDA-GH has issued an urgent call for all stakeholders to intervene immediately to resolve the protracted labour dispute.