The Medical and Dental Council of Ghana (MDC) is rolling out new measures aimed at safeguarding patients against quack doctors and unqualified health workers, as concerns over fraudulent medical practice continue to mount.
Registrar of the Council, Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, revealed that between 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, four individuals were arrested for posing as licensed practitioners, while several others remain under investigation for similar offences.
The Council has also uncovered forged medical qualifications submitted by people seeking clearance to practice in the country.
“These practices endanger the health and safety of patients and undermine trust in the healthcare system,” Dr. Banyubala said, stressing the need for vigilance.
To address the growing threat, the MDC is collaborating with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to introduce a practitioner name tag and stamp policy by 2026.
Under this policy, all legitimate healthcare professionals will be required to carry a picture ID, name tag, and designation clearly displayed in medical settings.
The initiative is expected to empower patients to easily verify the credentials of those who attend to them, reducing the risk of falling victim to quackery.
“Detecting quackery is not easy, but with this policy, patients will know who is treating them and whether they are truly qualified,” Dr. Banyubala explained.
The Council believes the reforms will boost public confidence in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system while serving as a strong deterrent to impostors who exploit vulnerable patients.
