Use social media to save lives - doctors advised

A Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology's School of Medical Sciences (KNUST-SMS), Dr Gyiku Plange-Rhule, has urged doctors to use social media appropriately to save lives.

According to her, doctors could take advantage of the several benefits social media present in the practice of their profession.

"Use your social media to save lives by way of consulting", she stated.

Dr Plange-Rhule who is also a Paediatrician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital gave the advice at the graduation and induction ceremony of newly qualified medical doctors of the University for Development Studies' (UDS's) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UDS-SMHS) in Tamale in the Northern Region.

She explained that there had been new and modernized ways of consulting where doctors could effectively engage their colleagues or superiors when they faced difficulties without referring their patients to other health facilities.

She added that doctors could use social media to create networks and share ideas among themselves when faced with challenges in the course of their duties.

Graduation
Sixteen doctors graduated from the university, comprising 10 males and six females.

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of UDS, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye, urged the doctors to be mindful of their patients’ welfare at all times.

He, however, admonished the doctors to beware of the challenges that awaited them in the practice of their profession and to devise effective means of overcoming those obstacles.

Uphold Ethics                                                                                                                                                                                           The Chairman of the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (MDC), Dr Eric Asamoah entreated the newly inducted doctors to be wary of how they treated their patients.

He expressed worry that some doctors misconduct themselves without regarding their ethical values.

He encouraged the doctors to uphold the virtues of the medical profession by way of demonstrating high ethical standards and professionalism.

Dr Asamoah also implored the doctors to take their housemanship seriously to enable them acquire the needed skills that would enable them to be registered as permanent members of the association.