GMA Bemoans Rising Alcohol, Substance Abuse Among Health Workers, Calls Situation Worrying

• The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has raised concerns about the increasing cases of substance abuse among doctors
• The GMA stated that other acts of misconduct and unprofessionalism were threatening the local medical profession
• GMA president, Dr Frank Serebour, warned medical professionals to avoid any behaviour undermining the health sector

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has lamented a concerning rise in alcohol and drug abuse, sexual misconduct, and all-around unprofessionalism among some members.

The association bemoaned that the continuance of such untoward behaviour has significantly undermined the medical profession and patients’ trust in healthcare workers.

Addressing the Association at the GMA’s annual general meeting, GMA President Dr Frank Serebour said the trend was worrying and put patients’ care at risk.

He noted that the health workers' alleged misconduct and negligence have led to multiple lawsuits being filed against them in various courts across the country.

He said the situation also called for an urgent remedying of the worrying trend.

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Dr Serebour further bemoaned the increasing reports of sexual harassment being filed against health workers.

He said many of such cases are being reviewed by the Medical and Dental Council.

He also said the increasing number of legal actions filed against health facilities and health workers are symptoms of the worrying trend denting the profession’s image.

Dr Serebour also raised further concerns about other misconduct, such as the chronic lateness of health workers, absenteeism, and workers leaving without completing their shifts.

He worried that professionalism was diminishing in the health sector and called for a reset to refurbish the profession's image.

GMA demands better working conditions

The Ghana Medical Association also said the government must speed up the implementation of agreed conditions of service for its members.

The association has been attributing the poor state of mental well-being among some of its members to their deplorable working environments.

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The association, therefore, called on the government to improve salaries and benefits, provide car waivers, and ensure the security of tenure and other benefits for members.

The Association's General Secretary, Dr. Richard Salome, emphasised that most members are operating in challenging conditions that require urgent attention.

Speaking in an interview, he explained that some medical workers even have to pay out of pocket for patients to access certain medical services for fear that the said patient may lose their lives.

This, he said, added an extra financial burden on medical workers and needed to be addressed.

GMA withdraws from galamsey protest

YEN.com.gh reported that the Ghana Medical Association announced that it would withdraw from Organised Labour's strike against galamsey.

The association said it had no roadmap for the planned industrial action on October 10, 2024, although it remained in solidarity with the action.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh