The Medical and Dental Council has admonished the Ghanaian public to make a conscious effort to file petitions with the regulatory body against any form of medical negligence, unprofessional conduct, or substandard care provided by doctors.
According to the Council, its primary existence is to protect Ghanaians, making it essential for patients and the public to utilise its mechanisms to seek redress.
Dr Pieasa Kodua, the Deputy Registrar of the Council, emphasised this position when asked whether patients who feel they have not received the best medical care could petition the body. He was speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM with host Kwabena Agyapong.
“We exist to protect the public. Most of the time when we say we exist to protect the public, we are not understood, but that is our core duty. We exist to ensure that the standards of medical care are always upheld,” he stated.
Explaining the process, Dr Kodua noted that aggrieved individuals can visit the Council’s official website to lodge complaints, upload necessary attachments, or call the office during working hours. He reiterated that the Council remains fully prepared to investigate and address all forms of grievances.
“We encourage everyone who has witnessed any form of misconduct, unprofessionalism, or ethical breaches on the part of any health professional to petition the Council for redress. Just gather the boldness, come to us, and report the issue. Additionally, we also encourage those with concerns to provide us with the evidence,” he urged.
He further advised the public against airing grievances in the media, explaining that such an approach only invites public insults rather than providing a legal solution.
“The best approach is to report or file the petition at the Council for an investigation to be conducted. If the person is found culpable, they will be dealt with in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent to other practitioners and help promote trust from the public,” Dr Kodua added.
He revealed that the Council has recorded several successful cases where doctors were sanctioned following investigations. However, he explained that such outcomes are rarely publicized due to the sensitive nature of the Council’s operations.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana