Cases of alcoholism, sexual, drug abuse by health personnel worrying — GMA

The President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr (Med) Frank Serebour, has expressed concern over what he described as “dwindling professionalism” in the health sector in recent times, saying some health personnel are involved in alcoholism, drug misuse and abuse.

He said there had also been cases where the conduct of some doctors had been unpleasantly discussed on radio programmes and other media platforms, including several legal suits against health facilities which outcomes were not favourable.

“Sometimes, we are let off the hook simply because the victims of our unprofessionalism choose to blame the witches for their predicament,” the president added.

Dr Serebour was speaking at the 66th Annual General Conference of the GMA at Sokode-Lokoe, in the Volta Region.

The week-long conference was on the theme: Fostering technology, entrepreneurship and professionalism in Ghana’s health sector.” 

Professionalism

The president reminded health professionals that professionalism should be the guiding principle in their job.

“Let us take decisions based on reason, rational processes and thoughtful considerations, rather than emotions and other ulterior motives,” he said.

Touching on entrepreneurship, Dr Serebour urged doctors to explore uncharted territory and work extra hard to create other streams of income.

“Sooner than later, laws may be passed to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65, based not on increasing life expectancy, but rather on economics,” he said.

Dr Serebour said what was even more gloomy was a possible shrinking of employment opportunity for upcoming health professionals in the government sector.

He also said that it would be a step in the right direction if the government could lease some Agenda 111 projects to doctors and other health workers as a form of group practice for them to pay back with time.

Financial support

Dr Serebour further said that the GMA had set up a partnership with Stanbic Bank to support doctors in private practice with funding at highly competitive rates.

“In the current unforgiving stormy economic environment, relying on a single source of income has become an eternal poison; it will kill you either now or in your retirement.

“That is the reason why we need to safeguard our income through investments and other smart financial decisions to ensure our comfort zones do not become our coffins,” the president added.