The Ghana Medical and Dental Council (MDC) has inducted 267 Physician Assistants and Registered Certified Anaesthetists into the Council to augment the equitable distribution of personnel in the health sector.

They took the Oath of Office and the National Pledge which enjoins them to uphold the tenets of patient anatomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance and justice as well as defend the good name of Ghana.

The inductees are also personally accountable for their actions and inactions in their professional practice and must be prepared to justify their decisions.

Dr Eric Asamoa, the Chairman of the MDC, congratulated the inductees on their efforts and dedication throughout their studies, admonishing them to pursue excellence in their profession.

He charged the physician assistants to abide by the very core competences of the medical profession which includes effective and appropriate application of medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patience and care, professionalism, continual learning and professional growth, knowing their limits and calling for help.

He said the physician assistants would contribute to the well-being of persons resident in Ghana and would be very useful in district hospitals, health centres and other facilities and areas that were crying for healthcare practitioners.

The functions of the Council, he said, were to assess facilities and contents of programmes for the training of doctors, dentists and physician assistants, conduct examination for foreign trained medical and dental practitioners and physician assistants, prescribe and enforce professional standards among other things.

Dr Asamoa, therefore, advised them to adhere to the professional standards and conduct of the MDC to deliver the best services to Ghanaians.

He urged all institutions that had not obtained programme accreditation from the MDC to do so to enable their students to partake in the examinations conducted by the Council.

Dr Caroline Tettehfio, the Director of the School of Anaesthesia at the 37 Military Hospital also urged them to be selfless and not to discriminate against patients and serve the Ghanaian populace.

The inductees are from the College of Health and Well-being, Kintampo, the Central University College, Presbyterian University, Narh Bita College and the Schools of Anaesteisia, of 37 Military Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and University for Development Studies.

They would be issued with provisional registrations to enable them to undertake their one-year internship in an accredited institution, a prerequisite for permanent registration which would also serve as national service.

They would, among other things, diagnose and treat illnesses, conduct physical examinations, counsel on preventative health issues, and order and interpret laboratory tests.