African doctors for improved health service delivery

The Association of Medical Councils of Africa (Amcoa) annual general meeting that was held last week in Mangochi closed on Friday with the adoption of resolutions to improve medical and dental service delivery across the continent.

The meeting, which ran under the theme Medical and Dental Malpractice in the 21st Century, brought together various medical and dental regulatory councils from 17 African countries to discuss medical malpractice and professional misconduct.

Addressing the media after the closed meeting, Amcoa vice-president Professor John Chisi said the council has adopted numerous protocols to improve health service delivery.

“We have developed various protocols such as a code of conduct for medical and dental practitioners, ethical and medical law, medical regulation in limited resource settings and complex emergencies,” he said.

During the meeting’s opening ceremony Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume requested Medical Councils to ensure that doctors operate in accordance to their oath of service.

“It is our plea to the council to ensure that doctors reciprocate with allegiance to their oath of office,” he said.