A labor crisis threatening to cripple Phebe Hospital in Bong County has exposed months of official silence, and delayed action.
The situation has placed government under renewed scrutiny over its handling of disputes in the public health sector.
As such, workers there have prepared themselves for a complete shutdown of the institution after nearly three months of waiting for the outcome of a mediation process that they say, was promised to be completed within 21 days.
The saga has raised fresh concerns about government’s ability to respond swiftly to mounting challenges confronting frontline health workers, particularly at a facility that serves patients in the county and neighboring counties.
On Tuesday, June 30, president of workers, who have turned aggrieved Moses D.N. Davis said, some of the employees have exhausted patience, and no longer have confidence in the special committee established to investigate the dispute.
“The committee requested 21 days. Almost three months have passed, yet, there is no report and no solution. This time, we are consulting our communities before taking the final decision to shut down the hospital.”
Davis said, repeated efforts to obtain answers from the committee, including its chairman, have produced little response, reinforcing the workers’ belief that their concerns have not been treated as a priority.
The Union maintains its demand for the removal of Medical Director, Dr. Minnie Sankawulo-Ricks, former Acting Human Resource Officer Peter Gbelarwo, and former Acting Administrator Jonathan Pewu, argued that confidence in the hospital’s leadership has completely broken down.
Workers also questioned government’s commitment to strengthen healthcare system. They alleged that Phebe Hospital was excluded from the recent distribution of 25 ambulances despite its critical role as a referral center.
The Union further disputed government statements regarding workers’ salaries, that some employees continue to earn monthly wages of just US$75, US$90 and US$92. They argued that such salaries fall far below a reasonable standard for healthcare professionals, and contradicted public assurances about improvements in workers’ welfare.
As pressure continues to mount, the prolonged silence from key authorities has become a central point of criticism from the workers, who insist that continued delays risk turning an avoidable labor dispute into a full-scale public health crisis.
