Hanny Sherry Ayittey, the Minister for Health, has urged the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana to institute pragmatic steps to address the issue of quack doctors in the system.

The Minister made the call when she paid a working visit to the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana on Friday.

She said quack doctors are causing harm to the health of unsuspecting public and the MDC could help in halting their activities, if it decentralised its operations.

She said majority of quack doctors are living in the rural communities and it is very important that MDC decentralised its activities from the regional to the district level.

Ms Ayittey advocated for stiffer punishment to the quack doctors if arrested and tasked MDC to train more doctors to serve the health needs of Ghanaians, adding the government is ready to provide support.

She advised the Council to deal with issues regarding unprofessional conduct of its members in order to promote discipline.

She said government has instituted a cost recovery programme to deal with the finances of the various health institutions and urged the Medical and Dental Council to form a strong financial team to be able to properly account for the money disbursed to it so far and access more of the fund to enhance its operations.

Dr Eli Atikpui, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana, said its finances are inadequate and funds from the government are not forthcoming.

He therefore appealed to the Minister to help the Council to fully access its share of the fund from the government coffers.