Evans-Anfom’s advice to medical doctors on point

Dr Emmanuel Evans-Anfom, one of the oldest living medical practitioners in the country, has advised medical doctors to choose credibility and integrity over money in the practice of their chosen profession.

Speaking when the management and students of the Family Health University College Medical School paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Accra last Thursday, the 98-year-old surgeon urged doctors to serve their country with the best of dedication.

The Daily Graphic considers the advice given by Dr Evans-Anfom very timely, in view of the overwhelming needs and challenges confronting healthcare delivery in the country.

Even though the practice of safe medicine is not the sole preserve or birthright of medical doctors the world over, they are generally seen to be key architects of healthy living and play very crucial roles in the health delivery set-up.

And since health is paramount to all living conditions, medical practitioners are always held in high esteem by society.

It is in this vein that practitioners must reciprocate the respect society gives them and discharge their duties selflessly in the interests of the public, particularly the sick and dying.

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Many complaints are levelled by patients against our health delivery system especially when it comes to situations of emergency.

Things become exacerbated by the particularly disturbing gaps in doctor-patient ratio, as well as the long waiting periods patients endure at clinics, all at the expense of productivity.

While the Daily Graphic appreciates the fact that in certain cases doctors are over-burdened, it nonetheless believes that with proper planning and selfless devotion to duty and respect for the Hypocratic Oath they swear, doctors should be able to put their best foot forward to save lives.

It is well known that many patients go through unpleasant ordeals, while others are unable to get the needed medical attention because focus is placed on the highest bidder. Sadly, too, patients, in some instances, have to wait for long hours only to be told at the last minute that there are no doctors available.

There are instances when doctors, who are supposed to be on duty in health centres, polyclinics and district and regional hospitals, are found at private medical facilities as stand-in doctors (LOCUM).

The Daily Graphic is of the view that with the ever-growing population, coupled with declining numbers of medical doctors in the system, the health sector will continue to experience difficulties.

However, the expectation is that medical practitioners will endeavour to be proactive and more sensitive to the plight of patients.
As Dr Evans-Anfom rightly pointed out, in the medical profession, the issue at hand is not about the pocket of the doctor, nurse or any health worker but rather about being patriotic enough to save lives.

Fortunately, Ghanaian doctors are among the best in the world, which is why it is imperative that they discharge their duties with aplomb and the magnanimity that goes with it.

The Daily Graphic urges the government to make the health sector more attractive to encourage medical doctors and other health professionals to stay at post.

It is when the conditions of service of health workers are good that the nation can be assured of an efficient healthcare delivery system and the people consequently assured of good health.