By Amin Kef-Ranger
In a Disclaimer issued by the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA), dated the 29th July, 2022 and signed by Dr. Samba Jalloh, as Secretary General, it was stated that the attention of the Association has been drawn to a news making rounds on social media claiming that it has come to an agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, concerning the two key demands (regarding the recent deduction of the monthly take home salary and the issue about the weekly 45L of fuel which is statutory), made during their press conference that was held on the 7th July 2022, maintaining that it would want the general public to note that those claims are NOT TRUE.
It continued that, however, the SLMDA Executives and the executives of other allied health professionals (nurses and pharmacists) were summoned to an emergency meeting on the 28th July,2022 by the Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation stating how in that meeting, a document from the Ministry of Finance (signed by the Financial Secretary) was presented to the various representatives of the different associations.
The SLMDA revealed that the correspondent presented via the Ministry of Finance did not adequately address their concerns as stated in their previous press releases adding how there are several lacunae/gaps with ambiguities for so many unanswered questions and concerns which they are pondering about going forward.
Further stated was that they are currently doing follow-ups with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to give answers to the unanswered questions as they are by all means avoiding a repeat of the same problem in the near future.
The Association concluded by stating that notwithstanding their strike action commencing at mid-night on the 1st of August 2022 still stands until their concerns are adequately met.
