KOD holds brief for Ghanaian doctors who refuse to report to far places where they are posted, cites language barrier and bonding factors
Kwabena Owusu Dankwah (KOD) has stepped in to defend Ghanaian doctors who are often criticized for refusing to accept postings to remote or underserved communities. Speaking during a morning discussion on the show, KOD argued that the issue is more complex than many assume, noting that several structural and social barriers make such placements extremely challenging.
According to KOD, one of the biggest obstacles for doctors sent to far-flung areas is the language barrier. Many rural communities rely heavily on local dialects, and communication plays a crucial role in accurate diagnosis, counseling, and emergency care.
He emphasized that a doctor who cannot understand or be understood by patients is already at a disadvantage, potentially compromising the quality of healthcare delivered.
The Maakye host also highlighted bonding challenges, noting that doctors, like any professionals, need a sense of belonging, community, and emotional support to thrive.
Posting young medical officers to isolated areas far from their families, social networks, or cultural environments often leads to loneliness, stress, and burnout. These conditions, KOD explained, contribute to the reluctance some doctors show toward accepting such assignments.
KOD stressed that while doctors have a responsibility to serve, the state also has a responsibility to create workable systems that make rural postings safer, more welcoming, and more professionally fulfilling.
He urged Ghanaians to avoid judging health workers too quickly, instead encouraging conversation about incentives, infrastructure, community integration, and practical support for medical personnel in remote locations.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
