The Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (CoUAHP) has announced its plans to embark on a peaceful picket scheduled for September 16th at the Ministry of Health headquarters.
The protest according to the coalition is set to begin at 9:00 AM and is in response to the growing unemployment crisis among allied health graduates, who are calling on the government to address the lack of job opportunities within the public healthcare system.
“The coalition, representing thousands of trained professionals from various allied health fields including physiotherapy, radiography, medical laboratory sciences, and more has raised concerns over the increasing number of graduates left without employment despite the urgent need for their services across the healthcare system”.
Zindam Rafik, General Secretary, Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (CoUAHP)
The statement further indicated that the protesters will gather to demand that the Ministry of Health take immediate steps to absorb them into the workforce and alleviate the strain on the already overwhelmed healthcare sector.
The coalition’s convener, Sir Frederick Adjei, expressed frustration over the delay in employing qualified professionals.
“We are calling on the Ministry of Health to prioritize the employment of allied health professionals who play a critical role in delivering holistic healthcare. There is a clear demand for our services, yet many of us are left without jobs, while the healthcare system continues to be overwhelmed”.
Fredrick Adjei, Convener, Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (CoUAHP)
He emphasized that the lack of employment opportunities for allied health professionals is contributing to inefficiencies in the health system.
With hospitals, clinics, and laboratories struggling to cope with patient numbers, the coalition viewed the exclusion of trained allied health workers as a missed opportunity to improve care delivery.
The coalition pointed out that allied health professionals are integral to holistic patient care, working in fields that complement the work of doctors and nurses.
According to the statement, from diagnosing medical conditions in laboratories to aiding in rehabilitation and recovery, these professionals are essential to maintaining the quality and efficiency of healthcare services.
The statement emphasized that their continued unemployment is not only a disservice to the graduates themselves but also exacerbates the healthcare challenges faced by the country.
Government Accountability and Calls for Immediate Action
The Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals urged the Ministry of Health to accelerate the recruitment process and ensure that qualified graduates are absorbed into the public health system.
The statement appealed to the Ministry of Finance to allocate the necessary funds to support recruitment and job creation within the sector.
The coalition believes that the delay in hiring these professionals is exacerbating the challenges within the healthcare system, which continues to suffer from staff shortages.
They argued that the government’s failure to provide employment for graduates, despite the clear need for their services, demonstrates a lack of commitment to resolving critical issues within the health sector.
Additionally, the Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals called on the public and other stakeholders in the health sector to support their cause.
They believe that open dialogue and collaboration are necessary to address the current unemployment crisis and improve the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in Ghana.
The picket is intended to be a peaceful demonstration, with the coalition hoping that it will spark constructive engagement between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant authorities.
The coalition has sent copies of their press release to both ministries and all media houses, encouraging widespread attention to the issue.
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