Dr Winfred Baah, the Acting Registrar of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has admonished medical students to treat patients with diligence and kindness, for the delivery of high-quality care.
He said medicine was not only a science but an art that required listening, compassion, and humility, adding “this is crucial because long after the medicine is forgotten, your patient will remember how you made them feel.”
Dr Baah, also a Consultant Physician and Nephrologist, gave the advice at the ninth White Coat Ceremony organised by the Accra College of Medicine (ACM).
He said the future of medicine kept evolving; from telemedicine to artificial intelligence and would continue to do so, but despite these changes, humans remained integral in all medical technologies, hence, the advice.
“The ability to diagnose does not determine how good a doctor you are, but the empathy you show and the quest to listen and help is what truly defines you as a doctor,” he said.
Dr Baah stated that laws and licenses alone could not make healthcare safe but the people within the doctors, the nurses, the laboratory scientists who bring integrity and purpose.
The White Coat Ceremony marks the transition from pre-clinical education to hands-on patient interactions, symbolising the acquisition of theoretical knowledge.
It aims to instill a sense of professionalism and responsibility in medical students, representing their commitment to care and the beginning of a lifelong journey in the healthcare profession.
The HeFRA Registrar advised the students to keep their intentions pure, practice transparent, and their compassion unwavering.
Dr Baah reiterated that the white coat was more than a garment but a promise to be compassionate towards patients, being open to opportunities, and remaining accountable to both society and patients.
“So, as you go out there, be bold, but teachable. Be skilled and stay humble,” he added.
Professor Augustine Ocloo, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, advised students to be changemakers in their profession and to always prioritise their patients’ health needs.
He advised that in the wake of technology and social media, they must not forget their oath and pledge and strive to be different.
Professor Afua Hesse, the President of ACM congratulated and admonished the thirteen new clinical students to lead by example and uphold the core values of the College as it celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
