By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
Workers at the Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Ganta City, Nimba County are on a go-slow in demand of three months’ salary arrears and other benefits.
The go-slow has brought normal activities at the hospital to a standstill, thereby turning away patients going there for medication.
The industrial action is being supported by various departments of the hospital, including surgery room, Laboratory department, Emergency Entrance, and Orthopedic Unit. Also behind the go-slow are the Eye Clinic, X-ray, Pharmacy, Dental and Record Room, Maintenance department, Accounting and Business department, and Medical Doctors assigned at the faith-based institution.
The aggrieved staff have abandoned the hospital, leaving patients’ fate in limbo, as nurses and doctors abandon work.
The Ganta United Methodist Hospital has a total staff of more than 200, including doctors, nurses, and others.
No death has been reported since the go-slow started last week in demand of salaries, better working conditions, salary increases, and Social Security benefits, among others.
The aggrieved workers say they are underpaid as staff with Bachelor of Science degrees earn a monthly salary of 15,000 Liberian Dollars and below, while security guards and janitors receive LRD 3000 and LRD 4000 as monthly pay.
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Addressing workers at the hospital, the Head of the Workers Union, Gabriel K.W. Tounzea, said their demands are constant.
Mr. Tounzea maintained that they will continue to reject patients except those currently at the hospital and that they have agreed to meet with the hospital administration today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
According to the aggrieved health workers, they have been protesting from time to time since 2021, and the administration headed by Mr. Allen Zormonway has been appealing to them but this time around, they will not listen to anyone, including the Bishop of the United Methodist Church, Samuel J. Quire, Jr., until their demands are met.
“Nobody will stop us; we had been stopped several times but this time around, we will not listen to anyone today until our demands are met”, they added.
Meanwhile some of the In-patients at the facility are yet to receive treatment from nurses and doctors.
Chris Washington, a 58-year-old resident of Sanniquellie City, Richard Dokie and Aletha Kayee told our correspondent that they have come to the hospital with the intent of being treated, but to their surprise, they are not getting any response.
Speaking on behalf of the hospital, Mission Station Superintendent Rev. Priscilla Legay Gilayeah pleaded with the aggrieved workers to abandon the go-slow, as the administration is expected to meet with them today, Tuesday.
She called on them to return to work until outcome of today’s meeting.
Rev. Gilayeah then called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and Vice President Jeremiah Koung to intervene, because they need help for the upkeep of the hospital.
The NEW DAWN has gathered that the Bishop of the United Methodist Church is expected to visit the hospital today, to hold meeting with the aggrieved staff. Editing by Jonathan Browne
