The first batch of 315 newly qualified physician assistants and certified registered anaesthetists have been inducted at a ceremony in Accra.
An additional 312 others are expected to be admitted to their respective professions today.
The event, which was held at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons auditorium yesterday, marked the formal entry of the inductees into professional practice after successfully completing their training and passing the licensure examination conducted by the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana.
The inductees were drawn from various accredited training institutions – College of Health and Wellbeing (COHW), Kintampo; YAMFO College of Health; University of Cape Coast (UCC); Central University; Presbyterian University, Pentecost University, and Radford University College.
The rest are the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS); Kwame Nkrumah University for Science and Technology (KNUST); Narh Bita College; Garden City University College; Anglican University; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH); University for Development Studies (UDS); 37 Military Hospital and the Ridge Hospital, and some foreign-trained professionals.
Advice
The Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council Board, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, advised them to uphold professional integrity and respect for patients.
The inductees being sworn in at the ceremony in Accra. Picture: CALEB VANDERPUYE
He said honesty, openness and accountability were indispensable in healthcare delivery, and that failure to adhere to such values could undermine public trust in the health system.
“Be honest and open and act with integrity. If you cannot do that, then you will have a difficult journey ahead of you,” the chairman said, adding that they must guard against discrimination and arrogance.
Prof. Akosa further called for teamwork, saying, “Health is teamwork, everybody is your colleague, and you work with respect.”
He also reminded them to maintain confidentiality and avoid discussing patients’ conditions inappropriately.
Prof. Akosa encouraged the inductees to continually update their knowledge and skills in the evolving healthcare system.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Health, Mintah Akandoh, by the Chief Director of the ministry, Dr Hafiz Adam, he said the induction was a significant step in strengthening the country’s health system as they joined a professional community of about 7,000 across the country.
“As we prepare to roll out free primary healthcare, physician assistants will play a major frontline role,” he said.
The minister explained that the policy was aimed at shifting healthcare delivery towards prevention, early detection and community-based services, where physician assistants would serve as the first point of contact in many communities.
He, however, expressed concern about cases of negligence and unethical conduct of some health workers, describing such behaviours as unacceptable.
“Serve not only where life is comfortable, but where need is greatest,” Mr Akandoh said.
Regulation
The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr Divine N. Banyubala, said the newly inducted physician assistants had been granted provisional registration to begin their internship across accredited health facilities nationwide.
He explained that the registration was conditional and facility-specific, adding that the council would continue to assess the inductees’ competences and readiness before granting them a full licence.
He also announced a number of regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening professional standards, such as the introduction of a national common licensure examination for medical and dental practitioners.
Dr Banyubala explained that the initiative would ensure fairness, transparency and uniform standards across all graduates.
“The goal is not to create new hurdles, but to uphold public confidence that every practitioner licensed in Ghana has met the same rigorous standard,” he said.
The registrar added that the council had also introduced a comprehensive core competency framework, covering areas such as clinical skills, communication, ethics, leadership and public health, to produce well-rounded practitioners.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh