In a clear case of medical negligence, veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr has shared how his senior colleague in journalism had surgery performed on him with an X-ray result of another person.
"One of our senior colleagues whom you know, Kwame, I can't mention his name because he has not authorised me to do so. He's over 80 years old and a veteran journalist. Recently, I met him in Takoradi, and he had changed in appearance. His way of walking had also changed, so I asked him, Uncle, what is wrong with you? Then he opened up.
"He told me he went to a hospital for a scan, and after that, he was told there's a need for surgery to be conducted on him. So he went in for the surgery. But what is so sad is that the X-ray based on which the surgery was performed on him belonged to someone else; I am telling you, that X-ray belonged to somebody," Pratt shared on Peace FM, during a panel discussion on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
He continued: "The doctors wrongly cut this old man in some parts of his body. So I asked him, What will you do then? He told me he'd left everything to God. His X-ray result was put elsewhere, and the doctors used another person's X-ray to perform his surgery. This is so sad. That is why I don't go to any doctor to receive treatment. I go to doctors who are my friends, and I trust them to do a good job on me. I know at least they will not be under any substance to perform their work."
Kwesi Pratt shared this sad experience while contributing to the discussion on concerns regarding issues of alcohol misuse, drug abuse, and instances of sexual misconduct among some doctors.
The President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Frank Serebour, who expressed worry over the development, highlighted that such behaviour put patient care at risk as affected doctors continue to work daily.
Speaking at the GMA's annual general meeting, Dr. Serebour noted that the association is facing multiple lawsuits over allegations of medical and professional negligence, underscoring the urgent need for action to correct these issues.
"We have some health personnel involved in alcoholism and drug abuse, which impacts their quality of life," he said.
He added that there have been severe cases of sexual harassment by health workers, with many complaints still under review by the Medical and Dental Council.
Dr. Serebour further expressed concern over rising legal actions against health facilities, noting that outcomes often reflect poorly on the profession.
He added, "In some cases, we are left off the hook simply because the victims of our unprofessionalism choose to blame the witches and wizards instead of taking on the system."
He also criticised certain unprofessional practices like chronic lateness, absenteeism, and insufficient work hours, questioning if professionalism is diminishing in the health sector.
"Is there an overwhelming focus on greed and selfishness? Some workers arrive at 9:00 a.m. and leave by noon, expecting to be paid for a full day," he remarked.
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