Months-long investigation has uncovered troubling practices within the country’s medical licensing system, that have left hundreds of foreign-trained Ghanaian doctors unable to practice, despite the nation’s critical healthcare shortages.
Documents and testimonies reveal that over 800 foreign-trained medical professionals, who collectively represent an estimated $40 million in educational investment, remain caught in a complex web of bureaucratic hurdles and alleged irregular practices at the Medical and Dental Council (MDC).
Dr. James Kobby Mensah, who completed his medical training in Ukraine in 2020, speaks from behind the counter of his family’s pharmacy where he now works. “Five years after returning home, I’m still unable to practice medicine. We keep taking exams with no feedback on our performance, paying new fees each time, with no end in sight.”
Internal documents show a striking disparity: while locally trained doctors begin practice within months of graduation, foreign-trained professionals face average delays of 3-7 years, with some waiting over a decade.
Parliamentary-Select Committee on Health member speaking off the records, expressed alarm at the findings: “This investigation raises serious concerns about resource wastage and potential systemic discrimination. We’re losing trained professionals to other countries while our rural areas lack basic healthcare.”
Former World Health Organization consultant Dr. Anthony Kwame Afrifa notes: “Ghana’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains at 1:8,000, far below the WHO recommendation of 1:1,000. Yet we have hundreds of trained doctors being prevented from serving their communities.”
The investigation revealed numerous cases where qualified professionals, despite completing required examinations, face repeated registration delays without clear explanation. Sources within the MDC, speaking on condition of anonymity, described an entrenched system that appears designed to frustrate foreign-trained professionals. “The process lacks transparency and proper oversight,” one senior official admitted.
Systemic Barriers and Financial Burden
The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of escalating costs faced by foreign-trained doctors. Dr. Sarah Ametrodzi, who trained in Russia, reports spending over GH₵50,000 on various examinations and registration fees since returning in 2021. “Each rejection comes with new requirements and additional fees, with no clear explanation of what we did wrong,” she explains.
Multiple sources reported unofficial payments being solicited to “facilitate” the process, with amounts ranging from GH₵20,000 to GH₵60,000, though success is not guaranteed even after such payments.
Impact On Healthcare Delivery
Statistics from the Ghana Health Service reveal critical healthcare gaps: 60% of rural health facilities are understaffed, 15 districts lack even a single permanent medical doctor, and maternal mortality rates remain high in underserved areas.
“The irony is painful. We have qualified doctors working as taxi drivers and shop attendants while our people die from treatable conditions due to lack of medical personnel,” says Prof. Emmanuel Ametordzi, healthcare policy expert.
International Comparisons
The investigation found that neighbouring countries like Nigeria and Senegal have more streamlined processes for integrating foreign-trained doctors, with average registration times of 6-8 months, clear examination feedback systems, and structured integration programmes. These countries have recognized the value of tapping into the pool of foreign-trained talents to address critical healthcare shortages. In contrast, Ghana’s rigid and opaque system stands out as an outlier in the region, hindering the country’s ability to fully utilize its available medical resources.
Economic Impact
Financial analysts estimate the economic cost: lost productivity of roughly $15 million annually, brain drain costs of over $25 million as frustrated doctors leave for other countries, and government scholarship wastage of an estimated $10 million over the past five years. This staggering economic toll underscores the urgent need for reform. By failing to integrate these highly skilled professionals, Ghana is not only squandering its investment in their education but also depriving its healthcare system of much-needed expertise and human resources.
Personal Toll
The personal struggles faced by foreign-trained doctors highlight the immense human toll of the ongoing crisis. Dr. Wilberforce Kwami Apatsi, who trained in China, shares his experience: “My family had to sell their landed property to fund my education. Now, five years later, I am unable to practice my profession. The psychological impact has been devastating. Some of my colleagues have even developed depression.”
Another Cuban-trained doctor expressed similar sentiments, feeling utterly devastated by the situation. She wondered if it was “a curse to be a foreign-trained doctor” and has resorted to starting a laundry business to make ends meet, forced to abandon her dreams and hard-earned skills.
These stories underscore the human dimension of this crisis, where highly skilled and dedicated individuals are left feeling demoralized and betrayed by a system that should be supporting their integration and professional growth. The personal sacrifices and emotional turmoil faced by these foreign-trained doctors paint a poignant picture of the human cost of this complex issue.
Systemic Failures
The investigation identified key systematic issues, including a lack of standardized assessment criteria, absence of transparent marking schemes, no appeals process for failed candidates, irregular scheduling of licensing examinations, and missing feedback mechanisms. These systemic failures point to a deeply flawed system that prioritizes bureaucratic obstacles over the efficient and equitable integration of qualified medical professionals. The lack of transparency and accountability within the Medical and Dental Council exacerbates these issues, creating an environment ripe for potential irregularities and discrimination.
Allegations Of Discrimination
Evidence suggests possible systematic bias, with 85% of locally trained doctors passing their licensing exams on the first attempt, compared to only 15% of foreign-trained doctors, regardless of their academic performance abroad. This stark disparity raises serious concerns about potential discrimination and bias within the licensing process. The disproportionate failure rate of foreign-trained doctors, despite their proven competence, casts doubt on the impartiality and fairness of the system, further undermining public trust and confidence.
Calls For Reform
Medical professionals and stakeholders are demanding independent oversight of the licensing process, standardized and transparent assessment criteria, regular scheduling of examinations, detailed feedback for failed candidates, and integration support programs. These reforms are essential to address the systemic issues and restore integrity to the medical licensing system. By implementing these changes, Ghana can unlock the full potential of its foreign-trained medical professionals, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and maximizing the return on its significant investment in their education.
The personal stories of foreign-trained doctors like Dr. Apatsi and the Cuban-trained professional paint a stark and heart-wrenching picture of the human toll of the ongoing crisis. These highly skilled individuals, who have made immense sacrifices to pursue their dreams, now find themselves trapped in a system that seemingly disregards their expertise and professional aspirations.
Equally important is the implementation of clear and objective assessment criteria, which should develop standardized, evidence-based procedures that evaluate the qualifications and competencies of foreign-trained doctors, without relying on arbitrary or subjective measures.
They also propose the creation of a robust appeals process that would empower foreign-trained doctors with the right to challenge unfavorable decisions, ensuring that their cases are thoroughly reviewed, and that justice prevails.
Additionally, they called for the development of structured integration programme, which offer comprehensive support and training opportunities to facilitate the seamless transition of foreign-trained doctors into the local healthcare system, leveraging their skills and expertise.
Finally, set reasonable timeframes for registration processes that eliminate the excessive delays and bureaucratic hurdles that have left countless individuals in professional limbo, unable to practice their chosen profession.
These recommendations serve as a wake-up call to the authorities, demanding swift and decisive action. Failure to address these systemic barriers not only wastes valuable human resources but potentially jeopardizes the lives of countless individuals in a nation already struggling with healthcare delivery.
The personal sacrifices and emotional turmoil faced by these foreign-trained doctors must be met with a resolute commitment to reform. The time for change is now, and the future of the healthcare system depends on it.
