The Daily Observer (Banjul)
31 October 2009
Banjul — Adama A. Sallah, a registrar at the Gambia Medical and Dental Council, has said that the existence of The Gambia Medical and Dental Council is crucial for the maintainance of professional standards and delivery of optimal quality health services in the country.
He made this statement at a press conference held recently at the Lamtoro Clinic in Kololi. The purpose of the press conference was to alert the public through the media, with regard to the harmful and undisirable irregularities taking place in the health service delivery system particularly in the private sector. He said that the services provided by health personnel are aimed at improving the quality of life of the people they serve and that their service orientation must be able to meet appropriately the changing value system of the community or its consumers.
He added that health practitioners are guided by codes of ethics, set as guidelines demonstrating levels of optimum practice and suggesting standards of conducts. In light of this, he said, regular medical and dental services, and establishments must be registered by the Council. This registration system, he explains exists to protect the public in order to maintain the trust and confidence that the society has in the profession.
Dr Sallah revealed that appropriate legislation was enacted: (The Gambia Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 1988) to establish the basis for the regulation of the profession. Â"In carrying out its functions, the Council has noticed some worrying irregularities in the delivery of health sevices in the country in recent times, particularly in the private sector. There should be a collective endeavour including individuals, institutions, the public and the media, to sensitize the general public and the media about such irregularities,Â" Dr Sallah asserted. This he added will ensure that they are brought to a quick end before further lives are lost or undue human suffering.
He expressed the need for the patients in the country to be fully sensitized about their rights and responsibilities. In this regard, he said, the Medical and Dental Council is working on the developmnet of a PatientÂ's Rights Charter in line with current international recommendations. As soon as the Charter is established, he noted, it will be widely disseminated for everybodyÂ's consumption.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Daily Observer. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
