Accra (Greater Accra) 29 July ?99
A post-graduate programme to train Ghana's first family physicians has begun at the Narh-Bita hospital in Tema.
The first batch of five doctors are currently undergoing the three-year programme that will make them family physicians or general practitioners (GP), a practice very common in the Western countries.
Dr Edward Narh, head of the hospital, said the programme follows the accreditation status granted the 20-year-old hospital by the West African College of Physicians.
"This gives the hospital the status of a teaching hospital", Dr Narh said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday.
On completion of their course of study, the doctors will sit a regional examination set by the West African College of Physicians and would be granted a certificate in general medical practice which would entitle them to practise anywhere in West Africa.
Dr Narh said the introduction of the programme, hitherto obtainable only in Europe or America, will make health delivery to the people more effective, accessible and affordable.
"Considering the number of Ghanaian doctors practising as general practitioners in Europe and the Americas, one can confidently say that an effective post-graduate programme for family physicians will go a long way to fill the vacuum created by the absence of such a course."
He said the concept of general medical practice has been with some West African countries such as Nigeria for so many years.
"The concept in Ghana will offer a holistic, comprehensive and continuous medical care for patients."
Dr Narh said the programme would also offer excellent opportunities to specialists in general medical practice and these could in future serve as pre-requisite for private practice.