New pharmacists asked not to join the brain drain

Kumasi, Oct. 26, GNA- Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Chief Executive of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), has appealed to new pharmacists not to join the brain drain but rather make patient-care their professional objective.

He said motivation and job satisfaction were not achieved only by considerations but by bringing smiles back to ailing patients whose taxes were used to train them.

The Chief Executive was speaking at a three-day orientation workshop, being organised by the hospital for new pharmacists. He agreed that as young professionals they could seek greener pastures elsewhere but advised them to also think about care for the sick, which was the prime aim of their training.

Dr Nsiah-Asare said though various opportunities existed for them to travel outside, the new breed of pharmacists should consider the efforts government was doing to career development, future security and salaries of all health workers.

He said the hospital puts the patient at the centre of everything it did and it is due to the patient's care that KATH derived its vision and mission as the centre of excellence. He called on the new pharmacists to contribute to the success of that mission by bringing innovation in the profession. They were also advised to collaborate with the other health professionals while specialising in other directorates, such as pharmacy in surgery, maternal and child health.

Mrs Elizabeth Anima-Appiah, Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services and Head of Education and Training of Pharmacists in the Ashanti Region, who spoke on the aims and objectives of hospital internship, called on the pharmacists to exhibit a high sense of professionalism and make it their aim to serve customers and patients well.