We’re all frontline staff, incentives must cover all personnel – GMA to Akufo-Addo

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on government to expand its incentives to cover all healthcare workers instead of the defined “frontline” health workers.

In an interaction on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 Fm, GMA President Frank Ankobea, pleaded with government to relook at what it described as frontline health workers although he welcomed and applauded government’s efforts in providing incentives to them in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Frontline Health workers are essentially healthcare staff; that is how we view it. We don’t want to be selective because all healthcare workers are at risk. The infected patients can be taken to a CHPS compound, a private health facility or public hospitals. The professionals in the chain, and even the security men are all in this bracket and are all very important, making same sacrifices in this dire moment” he explained in an interview with Kweku Owusu Adjei.

His comment comes after the government announced a tax holiday for Ghana’s health workers on their emoluments for a period of three months.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo who disclosed this on Sunday in a broadcast said the move is billed to take effect from April to June.

“Government has also decided that all health workers will not pay taxes on their emoluments for the next three months i. e. April, May and June,” the President said.

This, according to him is part of government’s incentive for the Health Workers and their sacrifices as the country fights the coronavirus pandemic.

Aside this, frontline health workers will receive a 50% allowance on their March to June basic salary.

President Akufo-Addo also announced free rides for the Health workers to and from work on Ayalolo buses.