By The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has raised significant concerns over the growing issues of alcohol misuse, drug abuse, and cases of sexual misconduct among some of its members.
Dr. Frank Serebour, President of the Association, pointed out that these behaviors pose a serious threat to patient care, as doctors affected by these issues continue to practice without proper intervention.
Addressing the GMA’s annual general meeting, Dr. Serebour highlighted that the association is currently dealing with multiple lawsuits related to allegations of medical negligence and professional misconduct, stressing the need for immediate measures to address these problems.
“We have some health personnel involved in alcoholism and drug abuse, which impacts their quality of life,” he said.
Dr. Serebour also mentioned that there have been troubling instances of sexual harassment by healthcare workers, with several complaints still being reviewed by the Medical and Dental Council.
He further expressed concern about the increasing number of legal actions against healthcare facilities, pointing out that the outcomes of these cases often tarnish the reputation of the medical profession.
He added that; “In some cases, we are left off the hook simply because the victims of our unprofessionalism choose to blame the witches and wizards instead of taking on the system.”
He also condemned unprofessional practices such as persistent lateness, absenteeism, and inadequate working hours, raising concerns about whether professionalism is declining within the healthcare sector.
“Is there an overwhelming focus on greed and selfishness? Some workers arrive at 9:00 a.m. and leave by noon, expecting to be paid for a full day,” he remarked.
