The Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana has sounded the alarm on the risks associated with poorly trained healthcare professionals, emphasising that they can pose a significant threat to patient safety.
According to Dr Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar of the MDC, inadequate training can lead to a range of errors, from misdiagnosis to improper treatment, which can have devastating consequences for patients.
Speaking during a press conference in Accra, Dr Banyubala stated that insufficient staffing levels can lead to burnout, fatigue, and errors.
He said the Medical and Dental Council employs various regulatory strategies to ensure the quality of healthcare professionals.
The MDC identifies significant weaknesses and gaps in institutions, communicates findings with the institution and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and requests a mutually agreed roadmap to address gaps.
The MDC, he also said, conducts unannounced visits to observe institutions’ daily operations and ensure that they meet standards.
He also revealed that the council analyses licensing examination results to identify institutions with poor performance and investigate the causes.
The MDC’s regulatory approaches aim to protect the public by ensuring that healthcare professionals are properly trained and competent.
He stated that poorly trained healthcare professionals can contribute to increased mortality rates, with the World Health Organisation estimating that 2.6 million deaths occur annually due to adverse events in low- and middle-income countries.
In conclusion, he said, the MDC is working to address these issues through regulatory strategies, including monitoring exercises, routine inspections, and unannounced visits to healthcare institutions.
By emphasising the importance of proper training and patient safety, the council aims to ensure that healthcare professionals provide high-quality care and minimise the risk of adverse events.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
