Health officials warned against ‘unprofessional conduct’ towards patients

By Awa K. Sanneh

The nation’s lawmakers have expressed their dissatisfaction towards what they described ‘unprofessional conduct’ of some health workers towards patients, as they warned against the issue and called on the Ministry of Health to put a stop to such attitudes in both public and private hospitals and clinics across the country.

Lawmaker for Foni Kansala, Honorable Musa Amul Nyassi warned and said parliament will take a stern stance on the issue if government fails to address such attitudes in hospitals and clinics.

“It is disheartening to know the attitude of some of the health practitioners in our health facilities, this is something that the Ministry must review and take a bold position,” he said.

He emphasized that “the Ministry and health practitioners particularly Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital should know that they are servant of the people, that is why they take the responsibility to serve in those facilities and let them treat patience with equality. They should not be there serving the interest of a few.”

According to him, it is their main function to engage the relevant authorities and bring to their notice what expected of them that is not happening.

Meanwhile, Honorable Sainey Touray MP for Jarra East said: “Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital is one of the best schools that train community development health workers, but today it seems like there is nobody living there.”

He added: “[The] Government needs to do whatever they can to rebuild the learning institution, and also to find solution in addressing attitude of some health workers toward patience at work.”