Accra: Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council, has raised alarms over a rising tide of malpractice and professional misconduct complaints against healthcare professionals. He highlighted that the mounting backlog of cases under investigation by the Council indicates a concerning decline in adherence to professional ethics and accountability within certain segments of the healthcare sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Akosa made these remarks during the 14th Annual General and Scientific Meeting of the Ghana Association of Radiologists in Accra. He noted the increasing number of complaints being lodged with the Council as a worrying trend. 'The number of people who are sending cases to the Medical and Dental Council, it is worrying. It is worrying. We have so many cases backlogged that we're having to investigate,' he stated. Prof. Akosa emphasized the need for medical practitioners to maintain professionalism and proper documentation, while assuring that the Council would continue to independently investigate the complaints received.
Prof. Akosa further cautioned healthcare professionals against using systemic challenges as a justification for poor patient care. He stressed that practitioners possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide essential interventions during emergencies. 'You have knowledge and skill, use it and don't hide under systems failure. If you can intervene, somebody's had an injury, if you can patch the wound and set up an IV, do you need bed? Do you need systems to be able to do that?' he queried.
Additionally, Prof. Akosa advised health workers to clearly identify themselves while on duty and underscored the importance of documentation in patient management and investigations. 'And when something happens, it's the documentation that speaks. It isn't what you thought. It isn't what you said. It is the documentation,' he emphasized. He also expressed concern about reports of consultants leaving their posts before the official end of their shifts.
Dr Francis Ofei, President of the Ghana Association of Radiologists, called for increased investment in modern diagnostic infrastructure, such as CT and MRI equipment, to aid early diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. He noted the critical role of imaging technologies in diagnosing kidney and renal disorders and expressed concern about the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Ghana. Dr Ofei attributed part of the problem to illegal mining activities, where chemicals like mercury and cyanide contaminate water bodies, increasing the risk of kidney disease in affected communities. He also advocated for stronger collaboration among clinicians, nephrologists, urologists, and imaging specialists to enhance patient outcomes.
Dr Charlotte Osafo, a nephrologist, highlighted the global rise of chronic kidney disease, including in sub-Saharan Africa, with many Ghanaian patients presenting at advanced stages due to delayed diagnosis and inadequate access to imaging services. She called for the development of Ghana-specific imaging protocols for chronic kidney disease and emphasized stronger cross-speciality collaboration to improve patient care.
The meeting was held under the theme: 'From Kidneys to Urethra: Imaging the Genitourinary System in the Era of Multidisciplinary Care.'