The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has voiced concerns over increasing cases of alcohol misuse, drug abuse, and incidents of sexual misconduct among healthcare workers.
According to the Association, if unchecked, these abuses will compromise patient care and professionalism in the health sector.Tourism packages.
Speaking at the GMA’s annual general meeting, GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour lamented the professionals with these reckless behaviours. Health professionals continue to interact with patients daily, undermining their ability to provide safe, attentive care.
“Is professionalism in the health sector dwindling? Is there so much focus on greed and selfishness? At least all of us can attest to the escalation of lateness to duty, absenteeism, poor documentation, and also not advocating enough time to our employers.
He also bemoaned the poor working attitude of some health workers.
“People walk into the hospital at 9:00 a.m., and by noon, they’re walking out, claiming they’re done and expecting to be paid for eight hours.”
“We have some health personnel who are involved in alcoholism, drug misuse, and abuse that affect the quality of their lives; there have been some extreme circumstances and reported cases of sexual harassment perpetrated by health workers.
“There have been several legal suits with outcomes sometimes not being favourable to us as health workers; indeed, sometimes we are left off the hook because the victims of our unprofessionalism choose to blame the witches and wizards instead of taking on the system.”
He called for greater accountability and discipline within the health sector.
To him, there was the need for a renewed commitment to patient care, ethical standards, and rigorous self-regulation among healthcare providers.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
