Weija (GAR), June 21, GNA - Traditional healers and prayer camp operators have been asked to observe the Traditional Medicine Practice Act, which enjoins them to seek approval from the Traditional Medicine Practice Council before practicing.

This is to enable the Council appropriately monitor and evaluate their facilities and camps where they operate to avoid human rights abuses. Mr Robert Donkor, Programmes Manager, Faith Complimentary and Alternative Healthcare, Ghana (FCHAG), on Tuesday urged members to continuously upgrade their knowledge for better performances. FCHAG is made up of traditional healers and prayer camp operators in the country, who are involved in faith-based health care delivery. Mr Donkor lauded the Ministry of Health for incorporating Complimentar= y and Alternative healthcare into the main stream health delivery system as the practice was widespread in the country and involved about 20,000 practitioners.

Mr Donkor asked members to avoid any practice that would compromise their service and put the lives of their clients at risk. He appealed to members to observe the Patient Charter, which stipulate= s the rights and responsibilities of patients and care givers. Mr Donkor said: 93I will urge you to join associations and organisati= ons which have the objective for the advancement of the profession and make contributions to the advancement of your profession."

He appealed to members not to hesitate in sending patients to the hospital for orthodox medicine treatment when necessary because delays coul= d result in the deaths of such patients and expose members to bad practices. Mr Donkor called on members to maintain high standards of integrity an= d confidentiality of patients' medical status and other information. Dr Gorden Donnir, Psychiatrist and Clinical Lecturer, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, asked members to avoid the use of titles such as 93professor" and 93doctor" if they do not have the credentials. He noted that Ghana needed about 22,000 psychiatrists to properly take care of mentally ill people as against the current figure of 15 psychiatrists.

Dr Donnir called for the passage of the Mental Health Bill in order to safeguard the activities of mental health care givers, and asked government to be more concerned about the plight of mental health patients in the country.

"It's sad to note that currently, the Mental Health Bill is still at the Ministry of Health. It has not even gone to Parliament," he said. Nana Oye Lithur, Executive Director, Human Rights Advocacy Centre, who organised the programme, urged C&A caregivers to desist from human rights abuses such as flogging, starvation, sand bathing and isolation when treating patients.