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The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on the government to reinstate the tax breaks that were granted to frontline healthcare workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.
In April this year, President Akufo-Addo announced subsidies for all frontline health workers; specifically 50% of their basic wages.
In addition, they were granted a three-month tax holiday, which was extended in August to cover the months of July, August and September.
Speaking at GMA’s 62nd Annual General Conference, titled: “Managing a Pandemic in Ghana: The COVID-19 Experience,” Association President Dr. Frank Ankobea said that reinstalling the package will encourage health workers front line to continue making sacrifices.
“COVID-19, according to the data available to the Ghana Medical Association, has so far affected 294 doctors with some deaths. We strongly believe that these numbers are likely conservative. We continue to plead and urge all healthcare workers to continue taking the necessary precautions in the performance of our duties. The Ghana Medical Association wishes to express its appreciation to the government for the six-month tax exemption granted to healthcare workers during this ongoing pandemic.
“Our expectation was that an extension to cover the rest of the year was in sight, but it was not. Regardless, the GMA will like the government to reinstate the tax exemption for the months of November and December 2020 as a year-end package for all healthcare workers. In fact, such a package will motivate healthcare workers to do their best ”.
So far, COVID-19 has affected 294 doctors.
A Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Okoe Boye, says that all front-line health workers who qualify to benefit from the government’s tax-free allowances, which will be 50% of their respective base salaries, would be duly paid.
In addition, it says that all healthcare personnel who have not yet benefited from the fully funded insurance packages for those who become victims along the way, including the families of those who have passed away, would be duly compensated.
“An insurance package was signed for all health workers who unfortunately contracted the virus and suffered some deformity. And we are still working on all the processes so that everyone who has passed away can benefit from life insurance. As you all know, healthcare workers across the country benefited from tax breaks and we also implemented a 50 percent base allowance for frontline workers and have made great progress. Most of them have been paid and there are others who have made their case, and we are still working to make sure that all who have sacrificed are rewarded and appreciated, ”he said.
— citinewsroom
