*UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MELPWU WELFARE SCHEME* The Welfare Committee of MELPWU, chaired by Prof. Richard KD Ephraim, successfully held its second physical meeting yesterday, 7th February, 2025 at the MELPWU National Secretariat in Accra. This 12hr session (9:00am to 9:30pm), the 6th including virtual meetings since the committee’s inception, focused on fine-tuning the structure and operational framework of a comprehensive welfare policy aimed at ensuring inclusivity and sustainability, incorporating all the valuable feedback from members. The proposed MELPWU Welfare Scheme is designed to be impartial, supportive, and protective, ensuring dignity in service and retirement for all members. Its scope covers professionals across public health facilities, private laboratories, academia, and quasi-government institutions. Key discussions focused on: - ⁠Benefits structure - ⁠Eligibility - ⁠Funding mechanisms - ⁠Exclusions - ⁠Claims process - ⁠Termination clauses Significant progress has been made in developing a robust and member-focused welfare package that addresses the diverse needs of professionals across various sectors. The next steps include: - Engaging the various stakeholders for further input - ⁠Refining the draft proposal - ⁠Submitting it to the National Executive Council (NEC) and General Membership for broader consultation and final approval We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of the Welfare Committee. We encourage all members to stay engaged as we work together to build a fair, impartial, and sustainable welfare system that enhances the well-being of every MELPWU member. We cannot fail. *DR. CEPHAS KOFI AKORTOR* General Secretary, MELPWU Saturday, 8th February 2025