Accra, Dec. 9, GNA - Professor Samuel Ofosu-Amaah, President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, on Wednesday appealed to government to appoint its Governing Council to ensure efficient and effective functioning of the College.

Addressing the opening session of the College's three-day sixth Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Accra, Prof. Ofosu-Amaah said without a Governing Council, a new President could not be elected or get certificates signed and hoped that government would assist the College in its operations. The meeting on the theme: "Poverty and Health," also provided an opportunity for the College to elect 16 specialists into its fellowship. They included specialists in Anaesthesia, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Public Health and Surgery and with three in Emergency Medicine joining as Foundation Fellows. In addition 65 newly qualified specialists in both the Physician and Surgeon Divisions of various categories of specialisation were also inducted as new members of the College.

Prof. Ofosu-Amaah explained the essence of specialty in Medical Colleges as dedication to excellence in practice of medicine through independence in thought, word and deed, which was the surest way for such Colleges to advice governments and all others, saying "this has been the true College tradition over the past 500 years..when the first College was formed in 1505".

He said it was the key objective of the College to develop programmes to train more specialists in medicine, linking up with the MOH so as to systematically and equitably distribute staff to all regional and district hospitals in the country and pledged the College's readiness to support the Ministry to develop a comprehensive plan to facilitate the speedy progress in the achievement of set goals.

He also raised concerns about the issue of re-certification of doctors in the country, saying that in the era of evidence-based decision making, the need for research and detailed studies of the problems with the practice of doctors and the system of medical care was crucial, before working out the modalities of how to raise or maintain the level of excellence in medicine in the country.

"This College equipped with the facilities and expertise will be willing to assist the Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council to fulfil the objective of re-certification in the most effective and cost efficient way," he said.

Prof. Paul K. Nyame, Rector of the College, said in the absence of a Council, the College administration had faithfully and substantially carried out the mandate, the objects and functions to promote continuous professional education in Surgery and other related disciplines among other things.

He said in the year 2009, 85 new residents were admitted into Special programmes including Family medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Oto-Rhino-laryngology, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Surgery and Radiology.

Prof Myame said he was happy that new programmes such as Family and Emergency Medicines as well as laboratory medicine were becoming attractive to trainees and said since the first intake of residents in October 2003, the output of specialists with the membership qualification from the College had seen tremendous increases from eight in 2007 to 41 in 2008 and 65 in 2009, bringing the total number to 114 specialists so far.

He said 30 continuous professional development (CPD) progra mmes had been organised this year through various faculties and the College would be glad to discuss with all interested parties and regulatory bodies the best way to run the programmes to ensure that Medical and Dental practitioners were abreast with developments in their fields, with the least disturbances to health delivery.

Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Minister of Health acknowledged the importance of continuous training of health professionals in ensuring quality and sound health care for all.

He said the government remains committed to ensuring quality and affordable healthcare by putting in place various measures including ensuring a one-time premium payment under the National Health Insurance Scheme and also the free maternity to cater for the vulnerable in society. Dr Kunbuor said to ensure equity in the distribution of medical specialists, government had provided various incentives to such persons in deprived communities as a motivation and an attraction to make their stay easier.

The Health Minister assured that government was working to eliminate poverty among deprived communities to promote good nutrition, sanitation and would require partnership and the collaborative effort of all stakeholders to achieve a healthy society. 09 Dec. 09