The Volta Regional branch of the Physician Assistant Association has expressed strong disapproval of certain health facilities in the region for pressurizing its members to return to work despite an ongoing strike action by the association.

According to the Volta Regional branch, some members who are currently on leave have been coerced by Human Resource Managers of certain health facilities to resume work, promising them payment for their services during the strike period.

Emmanuel Egu, the Volta Regional Chairman of the Physician Assistants, disclosed this in an interview with Class FM's Volta Regional Correspondent, Kingsley Attitsogbui on August 1, 2023. 

He further accused some health facilities of threatening not to sign forms for Physician Assistant (PA) interns, stating that failure to report to work could jeopardize their internship documentation with the Medical and Dental Council (MDC).

Mr. Egu emphasised that such actions by the facilities are in violation of labor practices and the association's demands, asserting that the issues the association is fighting for are also in the best interest of health facility managers.

Among the concerns raised by the Physician Assistant Association is the delayed absorption of Physician Assistant graduates who completed their studies since 2018. Additionally, current PA interns are reportedly not receiving any allowances, further fueling discontent within the profession.

The nationwide strike action by the Physician Assistants Association of Ghana commenced on July 19, 2023. The association is accusing the government of undermining their profession by halting PA training schools, failing candidates in licensing exams, and limiting PA postings.

Joel Tetteh Padi, the General Secretary of the Association, emphasized that Physician Assistants deserve recognition and respect as qualified graduates. He recalled an incident in 2018 when a PA faced unjust incarceration for nearly two weeks.

Mr. Padi also criticized the Ghana Medical and Dental Council's directive that prevents PAs from independently signing certain patient forms without doctors' supervision, particularly those related to sick leave and rest. This restriction disproportionately affects PAs in rural areas who must seek approval from doctors in urban regions before submitting patient care forms.