The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GACRA) has announced plans for an industrial strike starting December 1, 2026, if the government fails to address its longstanding grievances. The association has been petitioning the government for four years, seeking interventions to resolve challenges confronting the profession. GACRA President, James Nwinsagra, made the announcement at the association's 8th Annual General Meeting in Accra.
According to Nwinsagra, the number of practising anaesthetists in Ghana has significantly declined from 1,200 to 582. This dwindling number of specialists presents a serious challenge to the delivery of essential anaesthesia services and could undermine the country's healthcare system if urgent measures are not taken. The association is urging the government to invest in professional training institutions and infrastructure to expand training opportunities and address the shortage of qualified personnel.
Nwinsagra expressed concern that the difficulties confronting anaesthesia services have persisted despite repeated engagements and formal representations to the relevant authorities. He stated that the proposed industrial action is not the association's preferred course of action but warned that its members might have little alternative if the government continues to neglect their concerns.
The association has pursued several avenues over the past four years to secure government intervention, including submitting petitions, but has yet to obtain the desired response. Nwinsagra emphasized that the threatened industrial action raises concerns about potential disruptions to surgical procedures and other medical interventions requiring anaesthesia services if the disagreement remains unresolved.
The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists is urging the government to address its outstanding demands before the December 1 deadline to avert a possible disruption to healthcare delivery and prevent further pressure on an already declining professional workforce. The association's concerns have not received the needed attention, prompting it to consider industrial action.
The decline in practising anaesthetists in Ghana has significant implications for the country's healthcare system. With a reduced workforce, the delivery of essential anaesthesia services is likely to be compromised, putting patients' lives at risk. The association is calling for urgent measures to reverse the situation and ensure the provision of quality healthcare services.
The government has been urged to take immediate action to address the concerns of the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists. Failure to do so may result in a nationwide strike, which could have severe consequences for the country's healthcare system. The association remains hopeful that the government will engage with it to find a solution before the December 1 deadline.
Key points
- The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists threatens a nationwide strike from December 1, 2026, if the government fails to address its concerns.
- The number of practising anaesthetists in Ghana has declined significantly from 1,200 to 582, compromising the delivery of essential anaesthesia services.
- The association is urging the government to invest in professional training institutions and infrastructure to expand training opportunities and address the shortage of qualified personnel.
