Sixty-five newly qualified doctors sworn-in

Accra (Greater AccraRegion), 16 Nov. 1998 -

Accra (Greater AccraRegion), 16 Nov. 1998 - Sixty-five newly qualified doctors including two dental surgeons were sworn into professional practice and presented to the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana at the 16th swearing- in ceremony of the University of Ghana Medical School over the weekend in Accra. In all 47 males and 18 female doctors took the Hippocratic oath. Professor Alex Kwapong, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, who was the guest of honour, called on the new doctors to stay on and practice in the country in order to help improve the health care delivery system. He noted that the Medical school had helped to transform the health landscape of the country but added that with the approach of the 21st century, there were still some problems which need to be seriously addressed . Prof Kwarpong said the general medical brain drain is unacceptable adding records show that about 50 per cent of doctors who graduate from the school will be found working out side the country a year after graduating. He attributed the situation to low morale among other things and called for greater support to the health sector by all stakeholders as the Ghana attempts to modernise its health system under vision 2020. Prof. Kwapong also touched on the need to recruit more young lecturers, to take over from the current ones, 70 per cent of whom will retire between the next five to 10 years. Nana Wereko Ampem, chairman of the Medical School Executive Council, said the Council has given approval for the establishment of a College of Health Sciences, which will include the Medical school, the dental school, department of Nursing and the School of Public Health. He said the Dental School project has reached an advanced stage and will be commissioned by January next year , adding that the new library complex for the Medical school is near completion. Rev. Professor A. S. Ayettey, the new dean of the school and the first alumnus to assume that office was introduced to the new doctors. Prizes were presented to some of the graduates who excelled . Dr Jonathan Amarkwei Laryea took away 12 different prizes including the Archampong prize in clinical surgery.