Embrace holistic service, integrity - Christian health professionals urged
Speakers at the annual Methodist Health Professionals Conference have urged Christian health professionals to exhibit exemplary lives of integrity and professionalism in the execution of their professional duties to win others to Christ.
The speakers urged the professionals to also adopt a holistic approach to service that would exemplify Christ in their daily work ethics.
Speaker after speaker at the 8th annual conference held in Cape Coast emphasised the importance of integrating spiritual, emotional and physical care within the healthcare environment to ensure patients had optimal care.
Held on the theme: “Equipping the Methodist Health Professional for Impact: Faith, Ethics, Excellence”, the conference drew participants from all 16 regions, bringing together doctors, nurses, administrators and support staff who serve in Methodist Church health facilities across the country.
Beyond stethoscope
A surgeon and consultant with the Methodist Health System, Dr John Nkrumah Mills, explained that while medical science was essential, the emotional and spiritual conditions of patients could never be ignored.
“Sometimes what a patient needs most is not another test or drug, but counselling, encouragement, and prayer,” he said.
He stressed the need to approach patients holistically, taking into account their backgrounds, struggles, and psychological states.
He said good health care was not only measured by healed wounds but also by restored hope.
Dr Mills explained that the event was not merely another professional gathering, but one that reminded all that health care was not only about injections, prescriptions and surgeries, but also about healing the body, mind and spirit.
Integrity, equity
He reminded his colleagues of the ethical backbone of their calling. Quoting Micah 6:8, he cautioned against discrimination in health facilities, where a person’s wealth or social position determined the care they received.
“Integrity means showing who you truly are as a Christian professional. It means treating every patient with fairness and dignity,” he said.
He encouraged practitioners to pursue continuous learning, embrace teamwork and advocate for justice in public health.
“Excellence means upgrading yourself to meet current realities, through reading, research and new skills,” he stated.
The Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Peter Yeboah, emphasised that “Faith and science are not enemies; they complement each other. A holistic health professional understands that a sick person needs medicine and prayer in equal measure.”
Church, healthcare
Explaining why the church invested in health missions, the Methodist Church’s Director of Health, Enoch Osafo, said: “We want to transform society, and health is a key part of that transformation.
Unfortunately, many health workers today face criticism over their attitudes, but we want to raise professionals who serve with compassion and set a good example for others.”
He said the conference was not only about training professionals but also about shaping character, reminding them that "patients often remember the kindness of their nurse or doctor more than the details of their prescription."
The impact of the conference was felt strongly among participants, with a nurse from the Mpohor Hospital, Helena Tawiah, sharing her struggles and admitting that the pressures of the profession sometimes pushed health workers close to giving up.
“This event reminded me of why I chose this calling. It renewed my strength,” she said.
A doctor from the Western North Region, Dr Elijah Kubi, described the sessions as “deeply impactful”, urging that more of his colleagues should attend future editions because the lessons went beyond medicine into life itself.
As part of the event, some participants had the opportunity to present their research works, which aimed to assist and improve the health professionals and professionalism in the facilities.
