We have Worked for Doctors to take the Glory – Physician Assistants

Mr. Dominic Tuffour, the Vice President of the Graduate Physicians Association of Ghana (GRAPAG), has expressed his concerns about how Physician Assistants (PAs) often work while doctors take the credit for their efforts.

In an interview with Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso with George Adjei on July 26, he  highlighted that many Ghanaians mistakenly assume that everyone in the consulting room is a doctor, even when the PAs wear name tags.

This lack of recognition often leads to PAs being addressed as doctors, and the important role they play in patient care is overlooked.

“We have worked for doctors to take the glory,” Mr. Tuffour lamented, emphasizing the sacrifices PAs make, including working in rural areas away from their homes and families.

He highlighted the significant contribution of PAs in providing healthcare services in rural communities, where the need is often greater than in urban areas.

“In Ghana, rural areas outnumber urban areas. In most of these rural areas, PAs are the ones doing the work at health centers. We have served the country for so many years.”

Mr. Tuffour also mentioned that the leadership of the Graduate Physicians Association met with stakeholders to discuss the concerns and strike of PAs, but unfortunately, no positive outcomes were achieved from the discussions.

The Ghana Physician Assistants Association has outlined a roadmap for a planned industrial action at the end of this month.

The action will involve a gradual withdrawal of services from various health facilities, with OPD services nationwide being withdrawn from July 24.

If their concerns are not addressed, emergency services will be withdrawn from July 27 to 31, and from August 1, they will completely withdraw their services.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso