The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed serious concern about rising substance abuse, alcohol misuse, and incidents of sexual misconduct among healthcare workers, warning that such issues severely undermine patient care and the standards of professionalism within Ghana’s health sector.
Speaking at the GMA’s annual general meeting, GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour highlighted these alarming trends, emphasizing that some affected healthcare professionals continue to interact with patients daily despite behaviors that compromise their capacity to deliver safe, focused care. He pointed out that substance abuse among healthcare providers not only affects individual workers’ lives but also puts patients at risk by diminishing the quality of care they receive.
In his remarks, Dr. Serebour conveyed frustration over what he perceives as a worrying decline in professionalism across the healthcare sector. He noted that factors like absenteeism, lateness, inadequate documentation, and the neglect of patient care are becoming increasingly prevalent. “Is professionalism in the health sector dwindling? Is there so much focus on greed and selfishness?” he asked, urging his colleagues to reflect on how such behaviors are compromising patient outcomes.
Dr. Serebour went on to describe how some healthcare workers seem to be growing more complacent. He observed that many now fail to put in a full day’s work, often arriving late and leaving early. “People walk into the hospital at 9:00 a.m., and by 12 noon, they’re walking out, claiming they’re done and expecting to be paid for eight hours,” he said, highlighting the consequences of reduced accountability on both patient care and healthcare operations.
The GMA president also underscored the serious consequences of substance abuse in the sector. He explained that cases of alcohol misuse and drug abuse have become more frequent among healthcare professionals, impairing their work performance and, consequently, the overall quality of patient care. “We have some health personnel who are involved in alcoholism and drug misuse, which affect the quality of their life,” he remarked. “There have been some extreme circumstances, and reported cases of sexual harassment perpetrated by health workers.”
Such incidents, he said, have led to legal cases that have harmed the sector’s reputation and strained its credibility. In some cases, he explained, healthcare workers have been held legally accountable for their actions, though occasionally, victims blame the wider system rather than the individuals involved.
Dr. Serebour warned that these behaviors not only bring disrepute to the healthcare profession but also jeopardize patient trust, a critical element in the healthcare field. He stressed that, given the essential role healthcare workers play in society, there must be a renewed focus on integrity, ethics, and self-discipline within the sector. The GMA president called for a cultural shift toward greater accountability, advocating for discipline and vigilance to prevent further declines in healthcare standards.
Dr. Serebour’s remarks resonated deeply with the GMA’s commitment to upholding ethical standards and prioritizing patient welfare. He urged healthcare providers to focus on their responsibilities to patients, reminding them that the healthcare profession is built on trust, and that maintaining this trust is vital to delivering high-quality care. He concluded with a call for healthcare professionals to re-evaluate their approach to patient care, reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct and self-regulation to restore the integrity and credibility of Ghana’s health sector.
The GMA’s concerns come at a time when many sectors globally are emphasizing the importance of mental health and wellness, including efforts to address substance abuse issues within the workforce.
