An obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua, Dr Kwame Anim Boamah, was adjudged the medical doctor of the year at the fourth National Medical Excellence Awards (MEA) held in Accra last Friday.
The award, according to the MEA, was in recognition of his “selfless commitment” to the discharge of his duties towards the promotion of quality health care in the country.
Dr Boamah grabbed the topmost award after beating his closest contenders, Dr Shamaila Ibrahim of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Hospital at Agona Swedru and Dr Michael Rockson Adjei of the Tain District Hospital, who respectively were adjudged the first and second runners-up.
The awards scheme is targeted at honouring healthcare professionals who show excellence in their service delivery within the year under review.
This year’s event, which was held at the Forecourt of Parliament House in Accra, was on the theme: “Smile with your healthcare personnel.”
The awardees
Twenty-four health professionals were rewarded on the night. They won awards in categories made up of best doctor, nurse, transition manager, dentist, pharmacist, midwife, diagnostics and auxiliary staff.
Mustapha Musah of the Wasa Akropong Government Hospital was adjudged the Nurse of the year, while Joseph Azabu Tia of the Baptist Medical Centre was crowned the Pharmacist of the year.
The best midwife award was won by Ms Agnes Ofosu Baah of the Lister Hospital in Accra, while Ms Shirley Newman of the Nsawam Government Hospital was adjudged the best dentist.
The other awardees were: Attah Abubakar, diagnostics sciences; Muhammed Rabiu Salifu, auxilliary staff, and Bemanu F.K. Amen, transition manager.
The awardees, who were drawn from public, private and mission healthcare centres across the country, were each offered an insurance cover valued at GH¢150,000 by the Millennium Insurance Company, one of the sponsors of the awards.
Professor Angela Ofori-Atta, the wife of the Minister of Finance, was among four distinguished persons who were honoured for their ‘immense contributions’ to improving the health sector.
The others were Hajia Damata, Dr James Dakyi Clayman and Mr Gopal Vasu.
Selection
Addressing the event, the President of the MEA, Dr Titus Amidu Dauda, stated that to achieve its purpose of rewarding true excellence, MEA tasked a research team that “critically examined the operations of the nominated persons and submitted their names for the awards.”
Therefore, he said, the selection process was fair and urged the public to disregard any view to the contrary that sought to stain the credibility of the awards scheme.
Appreciation
In a chat with the Daily Graphic, Dr Boamah expressed appreciation to the MEA for the honour done him and urged his colleague doctors to dedicate themselves to their task to help improve healthcare services in the country.
One of the special awardees, Dr Clayman, expressed worry that the awards did not have government’s endorsement.
“Farmers, teachers and other professionals have their awards which have government’s involvement. If we do appreciate the role of doctors, then why is the government not getting involved in this?” he asked, and called on the government to act accordingly.
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