925 Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Anaesthetists Inducted; Deputy Health Minister Urges Ethical Practice and Compassionate Care

A total of 925 newly qualified Physician Assistants and Certified Registered Anaesthetists have been officially inducted into the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) at a ceremony held in Accra, with a strong call on them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and empathy in the discharge of their duties.

Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, emphasized the crucial role these health professionals play in delivering quality healthcare across the country. She noted that while technical competence is critical, it must be complemented by compassion and ethical behaviour to foster trust and ensure effective patient care.

“Our society holds healthcare professionals in high esteem, and with that comes a soaring expectation. Any lapse not only compromises patient care but can erode public trust in the healthcare system,” Dr. Ayensu-Danquah stated.

She expressed deep concern over increasing reports of professional negligence and unethical conduct among healthcare practitioners, warning that such behaviours were not only unacceptable but constituted a betrayal of the Hippocratic Oath. She indicated that the Ministry, working with the Medical and Dental Council, would not hesitate to apply strict regulatory sanctions under the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857) to ensure accountability.

According to Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, the Ministry of Health remains committed to strengthening ethical governance and professional accountability across the healthcare sector. She disclosed that a series of legal and policy reforms were underway to address emerging health challenges and enhance the regulatory framework guiding professional conduct.

One major reform she announced was a shift in the training pathway for Physician Assistants. The government, she said, was moving from a direct post-secondary admissions model to a post-basic training approach, which would require candidates to acquire prior experience in allied health professions before pursuing PA training. This transition, she explained, would help improve clinical maturity and better align the profession with the national health workforce strategy.

Furthermore, she revealed plans for a structured career development pathway that would allow exceptional Physician Assistants to pursue further training and become medical doctors or dentists.

“These initiatives will not only enrich clinical exposure and maturity among trainees and raise the calibre of future PAs, but also align with national health workforce planning, rewarding professional excellence with structured opportunities for advancement,” she noted.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah charged the inductees to remain committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, guided by empathy, integrity, and a deep sense of public service.

“Treat each individual you come across with dignity and respect. The white coats you wear are symbols of service and trust, and I pray you honour them as you honour your people,” she added.

On his part, the Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council board, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, urged the newly inducted professionals to deliver care without discrimination. Using himself as an example, he said: “Treat anybody who comes to seek care from you as you would treat Prof. Akosa, because illness is no respecter of persons, and you won’t know when you could become the next patient.”

The induction marks a significant milestone in the lives of the 925 professionals, symbolising not only their readiness to serve but also the nation’s confidence in their capacity to contribute to improved healthcare delivery.

The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, the Medical and Dental Council, training institutions, and family members of the inductees.