Medical Doctors Not Amused With Prez Akufo Addo’s Covid-19 Incentives

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has said although they welcome President Akuffo Addo’s announcement of tax incentives and allowances to frontline health workers in the Covid-19 coronavirus fight, what they prefer most is for the supply of scarce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Commenting on the measures, GMA President Frank Ankobea said, “I will like to commend the president and government for the measures they have taken and package for us….We are grateful for that incentive but all we ask is that they should give us the PPEs…there is a challenge with PPEs distribution and I’m sure the ministry knows it. All we are saying is that ‘let us get the PPEs’.”

The GMA President’s observation is as a result of serious panic sweeping through the health services in Ghana as medical personnel battle to secure PPE in their direct engagement with highly contagious Covid-19 disease.

Some doctors and nurses have already threatened to down their tools if these items are not provided urgently as a number of them are getting infected by the disease.

 On Sunday, April 5, President Akufo Addo announced that all health workers in the country are to enjoy tax holiday for three months plus 50% of their basic salaries given to them as allowances in addition to their salaries.