The Controller and Accountant General's Department has transferred GHC756,000 to pay all outstanding salary arrears of striking nurses at the three psychiatric hospitals in the country.
Tony Goodman, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health made this known in an interview on PEACE FM morning show 'Kokrokoo', Wednesday.
Nurses at the Accra Psychiatric have been on strike since October 1 to demand payment of their salary arrears.
More than 7000 nurses and midwives across the country forming the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives on Monday also declared an indefinite strike to back their demands for the payment of all salary and outstanding arrears for the past three years.
Tony Goodman told Kwami Sefa Kayi that his ministry is working around the clock to ensure that all the striking nurses are paid by Friday, 9th October, 2015. He indicated that the three Psychiatric Hospitals: Accra, Pantang and Ankaful have acknowledged receipt of the money owed and are scheduled to issue cheques to the psychiatric nurses soon.
"This Payment was made to about 133 nurses who form part of some nurses to be paid outstanding arrears...we are also working hard to ensure that the rest of the groups (nurses and midwives) are paid. But due to their number, they will not be paid through their hospitals...it will be taken to their accounts. This shows our commitment of ensuring that all outstanding arrears are worked on and paid in the shortest possible time. We wish to call on the nurses currently on strike to rescind their decision and go back to work since work is still ongoing to pay all outstanding arrears owe them" he stated.
<<Print>>