The fourth annual Continuing Medical knowledge Fiesta (MKF) Conference for doctors in Ghana, dubbed: “Medical Knowledge Fiesta,” is underway in Accra.

The event, organised by the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Africa Partners Medical is on the theme: “Cutting edge updates for medical practice in Ghana.”

The MKF, seeks to strengthen the scientific base of medical practitioners in the country and provides a platform for continuous education and knowledge sharing between medical doctors in the Diaspora and their counterparts in Ghana.

Last year, more than 400 physicians with 66 facilitating faculty (44 from Ghana and 22 from the Diaspora) attended but because of the Ebola scare some facilitators from the Diaspora pulled out of the conference.

The fiesta would incorporate the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control as it contribution to national preparedness.

The Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation of North America has donated 500 PPEs for the exercise.

Professor Thaddeus Ulzen, Associate Dean, College of Community health, University of Alabama noted that a country that seeks to develop should invest in its citizens, health care and education.

Speaking on national Development through the eye of a psychiatrist, he said a significant percentage of patients seen in primary care have a mental illness/disorder as a primary problem thus it is logical that every medical graduate be well versed and adept in diagnosing, treating, and managing psychiatric disorders.

Mental disorder is a condition that affects what a person thinks, feels, moods and ability to relate to others.

According to him mental health and physical health are intricately linked on every level whilst the associated pain and emotional distress is indescribable.

He called for a healthcare system that would reflect the relationship and integrate primary and psychiatric care.

Major disorders start in the teenage years, but when detected early treatment becomes effective he said.

Prof Ulzen noted that that it is pertinent to ensure that care is available to all who need it because loss of productivity due to the disorder runs into trillions of dollars.

He said poor understanding of the disease leads to stigma.

He recommended the teaching of the discipline in undergraduate sciences and primary health care, assertive community teams and training of teachers in mental health and attaching mental health nurses to institutions to detect early signs.

Prof David Ofori-Adjei, Rector of Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons commended the organisers for the work done and for their longstanding dedication to postgraduate medical education in the country.