One Doctor Currently Attends To 10,000 Patients In Ghana – Dr. Dua

Family Medicine Specialist, Dr. Albert Adusei Dua, has disclosed that Ghana’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains a major challenge, with one doctor currently attending to about 10,000 patients across the country.

Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso, he said the growing gap between doctors and patients has compelled healthcare professionals to adopt digital solutions such as telemedicine to improve access to healthcare.

“Looking at the doctor-to-patient ratio in Ghana, one doctor currently attends to about 10,000 patients,” he stated.

Dr. Adusei Dua explained that the Society of Family Physicians of Ghana (SOFPOG) is made up of doctors who specialise in family medicine and broad-based healthcare for individuals and families.

According to him, family physicians provide all-round care and focus on continuous relationships with patients rather than only treating illnesses when they occur.

“Everybody is supposed to have a family doctor. In many countries, people are cared for even before they fall sick,” he said.

He noted that in advanced healthcare systems, family doctors regularly check on patients, send reminders through email, and follow up through phone calls when necessary.

Dr. Adusei Dua said Ghana is now exploring the use of digital innovation to help bridge the healthcare access gap caused by the shortage of doctors.

“We are introducing telemedicine, where patients can speak to doctors through mobile phones even when the doctor is not physically present,” he explained.

According to him, patients can describe their symptoms remotely, receive medical advice, and in some cases obtain prescribed medication without physically visiting a health facility.

He stressed that the shortage of doctors may take many years to fully address, making technology an important tool in strengthening healthcare delivery.

“That is why the theme for this year’s World Family Doctor Day is ‘Strengthening Primary Health Care through Compassion and Digital Innovation,’” he added.

The specialist further explained that family medicine goes beyond science and also considers the emotional, social, and spiritual concerns patients may have regarding their health.

He encouraged the public to embrace preventive healthcare practices, healthy lifestyles, and regular medical checkups to improve overall wellbeing.