The Medical and Dental Council (MDC) has inducted 118 newly qualified doctors and dentists into the profession, charging them to uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and patient-centred care as they begin their journey in clinical practice.
The newly inducted practitioners, drawn from medical and dental schools in the country and foreign training institutions, received provisional registration certificates to enable them to commence their pre-registration practice in accredited health facilities across the country.
The MDC used the occasion to announce key regulatory reforms aimed at improving accountability, including the introduction of a Practitioner Verification System featuring a practitioner-specific stamp, name tag and professional apparel policy to enhance identification and traceability within the healthcare system.
The council also reaffirmed its commitment to introducing a National Common Licensure Examination for newly qualified doctors and dentists, a move aimed at ensuring uniform standards, fairness and public confidence in the licensing process.
Inductees
The inductees were from the University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana Dental School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Medical Sciences, KNUST School of Dentistry and foreign training institutions.
They have fulfilled the minimum academic and professional requirements and have received provisional registration to begin their pre-registration practice in accredited health facilities.
Addressing the inductees yesterday, the Registrar of the MDC, Dr Divine N. Banyubala, said the induction was not merely symbolic but represented a public affirmation of competence, courage and commitment to serve humanity.
He reminded the new practitioners that their transition from the supervised environment of medical and dental schools meant they were assuming greater responsibility for the lives and well-being of patients.
Dr Banyubala said provisional registration was conditional and provided an opportunity for the council to continue assessing the competence, professional conduct and readiness of the practitioners before their permanent registration.
Compassion, integrity
For his part, the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafiz Adam Taher, who represented the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, urged the inductees to see the oath they had taken as a solemn covenant to humanity.
He said the oath was a commitment to place the welfare of patients above personal interests and to uphold the dignity of the medical and dental professions.
Dr Adam reminded them that medicine and dentistry were not only scientific disciplines but professions built on empathy, morality and service.
“While your knowledge will earn you respect, it is your humility that will earn you trust,” he said.
MDC facility strengthens regulation
Dr Adam congratulated the MDC on the successful commissioning of phase one of its Cancer Specialist Training Centre and Head Office Complex.
He described the facility as a symbol of progress and a demonstration of commitment towards strengthening medical and dental regulation in Ghana.
He expressed the ministry’s support for the completion of the second phase of the project to further enhance the council’s operations.
African medical regulators
Ghana will host the 28th Annual Scientific Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA). It will bring together healthcare regulators, policymakers, academics and professional institutions from across the continent.
The conference, on the theme: “Responsive Regulation for Safer Communities towards a Better Health Foundation,” will focus on strengthening healthcare regulation, patient safety and professional standards.
