Ghana’s healthcare system is facing a mounting crisis as over 200 junior doctors continue to work for months without pay, raising serious concerns over service delivery and staff welfare.
Dr. Malcolm M. Dery, spokesperson for junior doctors, spoke on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, October 2, highlighting the growing frustration among doctors and warning that the government’s inaction risks a major disruption in healthcare.
“Some junior doctors in Ghana have worked tirelessly and diligently for months now without salary,” Dr. Dery stated. “Over 200 junior doctors have been working for the past 10 to 12 months without salary, it’s worrying.”
He further emphasized the exploitative conditions some doctors face, including unpaid overtime, and the toll this is taking on their well-being.
“We are at a point where we think junior doctors are being exploited in Ghana,” he asserted.
“Working tirelessly for months as a junior doctor in Ghana without salary poses a major challenge to our mental health, some junior doctors even struggle to eat or cater for their families.”
Dr. Dery underscored the serious implications of the ongoing crisis.
In addition to salary arrears, a backlog in employment is affecting over 800 junior doctors who have completed their two-year mandatory housemanship but remain at home waiting for postings.
The spokesperson issued a firm ultimatum: if the government does not address their concerns, all emergency services will be withdrawn by October 10, 2025.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Akosua-Mansah Nyantakyi
