Health News of Friday, 20 September 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Akufo-Addo gov’t to ‘clear’ quack doctors in the health sector – Deputy Health Minister

Deputy Health Minister, Alex Kodwo Kom Abban play videoDeputy Health Minister, Alex Kodwo Kom Abban

Deputy Health Minister, Alex Kodwo Kom Abban, has noted that, his outfit is ready to take action against unlicensed persons who have invaded the health delivery system, particularly the laboratory and imaging.

Calling on the entire health council to join in fighting the menace, he said, "the council should collaborate with health facilities regulatory agency, HIFA and the security agencies to monitor all facilities and clear all quacks from the system”.

Addressing newly inducted Applied Health professionals in Accra on Thursday, Mr. Abban stated that “these quack doctors are causing great harm to the unsuspecting population and the ministry cannot allow this to continue any longer”.

He further said, most ultrasound reports from these quack doctors are extremely dangerous to the health delivery system and the society at large.

“The provision of quality health care which is patient-centred is one of the outmost priorities of this government. Achieving UHC target must however be seen as the responsibility of every stakeholder in the country to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare for the citizens of Ghana”.

In this regard, he urged all agencies of the Ministry of Health, as well as the Private Health facilities to ensure that, only qualified and licensed allied health practitioners are employed.

The Deputy Health Minister said, “these quacks are causing great harm to the unsuspecting population and the ministry cannot allow this to continue any longer. In this regard, I urge all agencies of the ministry of health and private health facilities to ensure that only qualified and licensed allied health practitioners are employed.



According to him, “It is important that appropriate sanctions as provided for in the Health professions regulatory bodies act 857 of 2013 are applied to institutions which continue to employ such unqualified people and thereby infringe on the law”.

Mr. Abban, however, urged the 1130 inductees to accept their postings, even if they were posted to rural and deprived communities to serve.