Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Mark Kurt Nawaane, has urged medical professionals who are unable to cope with the demands of their work to step aside, stressing that the healthcare system requires commitment, professionalism, and adherence to ethical standards.
His comments followed the presentation of findings by a three-member committee investigating the death of Charles Amissah, who reportedly died after suffering a medical emergency.
The investigative committee, chaired by Agyeman Badu Akosah, recommended disciplinary action against several health workers over alleged professional misconduct and negligence in the handling of the case.
Reacting to the report, Mr Nawaane commended the committee for what he described as a more transparent and accountable approach, particularly its decision to identify individuals allegedly involved rather than focusing solely on the health facility.
“Immediately we started and mentioned medical negligence and even started coming up with names, and I said thank God, this is a step forward,” he said.
According to the Health Committee Chairman, previous investigations into medical negligence often concentrated on institutions while failing to address the actions of individual practitioners.
“Now we are saying that it is beyond just a facility. It is the individuals,” he stated.
Mr Nawaane stressed that healthcare professionals who choose to remain in practice must uphold ethical standards and seek assistance when confronted with situations beyond their expertise.
“If you are ready to work, please, there are ethics. If you can’t do something, you call your colleague doctor, your senior doctor,” he said.
He further argued that medical practitioners who are exhausted, overwhelmed, or unable to effectively perform their duties should consider resigning rather than putting patients’ lives at risk.
“If you are a medical professional and you are tired of the work, you probably have to resign,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing public concern over accountability within Ghana’s healthcare system and calls for stricter enforcement of professional standards in medical practice.
