Skip to main content

Life of a Ghanaian doctor- is the strike fair?



The nation is shaken anytime doctors threaten strike or actually embark on it. they get to meet the president or his vice or top government officials which others workers don't ever get. I have covered stories about the doctors strike and well.. i have lost count. All I know is when doctors bark, it is the loudest. period! With the persistent strike by doctors, there’s a growing public perception doctors are uncompassionate and selfish; I tell the story of the Ghanaian doctor...who is he or she? the average middle class ghanaian or a well to do to do arrogant saviour?

The medical profession is associated with respect and sophistication and doctors in particular are revered by the public for the God-like job of healing the sick. But in the wake of persistent strikes they are becoming popular for the wrong reasons. Many Ghanaians harbour the perception that doctors are selfish and insensitive.

I met a doctor at Korle-Bu who dressed me up as a doctor too to spend a day with him and experience his life as a doctor in GH. Listen to my interview with the anonymous doctor (on facebook or twitter)and tell me if their strike is justified or not.
Dr Anonymous speaks...
"I feel very bad whenever I hear people say that doctors are not compassionate and callous.  It is very painful [to hear people talk like this], because doctors ‘work their backs off’ just to take care of their patients. There are very wrong’ perceptions that strikes by doctors are all about pay increase. Sometimes, they strike over unresolved issues related to their salaries which have lingered for long. It was therefore not true that doctors lay down their tools just to make more money. Even when we go on strike, we do not totally shut down our services and measures are put in place to care for patients.  Deaths that occur during periods when doctors are on strike cannot be blamed on the strike. If somebody is going to die, he will die. We are not gods, we are human beings, we just have a little bit extra knowledge. The manner in which Ghanaians criticize and sometimes malign doctors makes us feel unappreciated. Sometimes you just get frustrated with the system and you think it’s easier and better if you get out...” 
xoxo


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WORLD THINKING DAY: PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP!

Did you know World thinking day was observed across the world yesterday? Well of course, not everyone would know about it but that doesn’t downplay its significance. This day is especially celebrated annually on February 22 by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. So for a developing nation like Ghana what does this day mean to us? I sampled some interesting views from the streets. While some opined that as Ghanaians we were thinking others disagreed. The former group speaks out about the problem being implementation and not the lack of creative ideas from critical thinking. For the latter we cannot be thinking if we are plighted as a nation with the most fundamental problems. They argue we are still struggling with our basic needs. Here are some more interesting opinions I gathered; “we must think outside the box and/or try finishing our thinking within the box, avoid thinking about trivialities and confusing worrying for thinking”. So are you thinking? Is Ghana a thinking nation? Renowne...
Post a Comment
Read more

TEKURA thrills ghanaians at Furnidec fair

Tekura is an emerging brand in the furniture and decor industry.Tekura produces unique and exquisite handcrafted furniture, home accessories and  decorative pieces for local and international markets. At the just ended National Furniture & Decor Fair organized by Xodus communications Tekura stood out as one of many if not the only company with its products uniquely made in Ghana. Visitors passing through admired the unique and beautiful furniture and accessories displayed at the Tekura stand. The great thing about Tekura is their multipurpose products which can fit in every part of the home or office or wherever one desires. Tekura is making Ghana proud with their made in Ghana stools, tables benches, masks, consoles, , mirrors,etc. promoting African art and culture through innovation and creativity. Lets take a quick look at Tekura's background. Tekura was founded in 2000 by husband and wife, Mr. Emmanuel Kweku Forson and Mrs. Josephine Mensah Forson. ...
1 comment
Read more

KILLER ROADS

Killer roads is my first ever documentary that i produced as a broadcast journalist working at Joyfm (an Accra based radio station). So what's the feeling? i don't know...mixed feelings? After the hustle and bustle beside relief, what else? one thing i know is that i am proud of it, after all Killer Roads is my achievement and i'm thankful to god for it. The whole experience of getting into people's lives, their privacy, insecurities,pains,joy is a humbling experience. They are not just anybodys , they are victims of road crashes. So what went into putting together this work? I know it was not my effort only and that's the Joy news team spirit.But life can sometimes be a tough and you would have to fight for what is yours. in the end you become a warrior, so that's not so bad. Back to my queation, sleepless nights and long hours of work, disappointments, frustrations etc...all these brought to life Killer Roads. As a young journalist learning the ropes of ...
3 comments
Read more