Ordre Des Médecins Du Togo: Patient Refusal Clarification Demanded

• Myriam Dossou-d’Almeida, a Togolese National Assembly Vice-President, recently suggested doctors could refuse care based on a patient's social media activity.
• In response, essayist Gnimdéwa Atakpama sent an open letter to the Ordre des médecins du Togo, calling for a public clarification of medical ethics.
• Atakpama cited the 2013 Togo Code de déontologie médicale, emphasizing provisions against patient discrimination and abandonment.
• He urged the medical council to affirm that a doctor's oath to treat all patients equally cannot be overridden by external directives.
• This incident highlights an ongoing public debate in Togo concerning the intersection of political expression and fundamental healthcare rights.

The incident underscores a critical need for the Ordre des médecins du Togo to publicly reaffirm the foundational principles of medical impartiality and patient non-discrimination, ensuring that political discourse does not erode trust in healthcare access.

A seemingly innocuous statement made during a Togolese political debate has ignited a significant controversy concerning medical ethics. In early September, Myriam Dossou-d’Almeida, who serves as the sixth vice-president of the National Assembly, made remarks implying that a physician might, in the future, refuse to treat a patient based on their social media activity. Specifically, the statement, as reported by essayist Gnimdéwa Atakpama, suggested a doctor could decline care to a patient if they held a grudge due to the patient's posts on platforms like TikTok. This assertion directly challenges the core tenets of Togo medical ethics patient refusal clarification.

These controversial remarks prompted a swift and principled response from Gnimdéwa Atakpama. On September 12, he formally addressed an open letter to Professor Anthony Kadanga Beketi, the President of the National Council of the Ordre des médecins du Togo. Atakpama's letter urged the council to publicly reiterate the fundamental principles enshrined in the Hippocratic Oath, directly confronting the implications of Myriam Dossou-d’Almeida's controversial remarks. He argued that such statements transcend mere political debate, striking at the very heart of the medical profession and instilling "formidable doubt" among the populace regarding their ability to seek hospital care without apprehension.

Atakpama's appeal is firmly grounded in the established legal and ethical framework governing medical practice in Togo. His letter meticulously references specific provisions within the Togo Code de déontologie médicale, which was enacted via a decree on August 21, 2013. He highlighted Article 11, which unequivocally mandates that all patients must be treated with the same conscientiousness, irrespective of their personal opinions. This provision is central to the principle of Togo patient non-discrimination medical care.

Further reinforcing his argument, Atakpama cited Article 9, which addresses the duty to assist individuals in danger, and Article 38, which explicitly prohibits turning away a patient who has already been received for care. He also invoked Article 47, which forbids medical professionals from abandoning their patients, even in situations of public danger. Through these references, Atakpama underscored the critical distinction that "the doctor knows no activists but patients," asserting that a physician's professional duty is solely to the health and well-being of the individual seeking care, detached from any political or social media affiliations.

Crucially, Gnimdéwa Atakpama's medical ethics letter did not seek punitive measures against Myriam Dossou-d’Almeida. Instead, his primary objective was to secure a public clarification from the Ordre des médecins du Togo. He implored the Council to solemnly declare that "the Togolese doctor knows neither TikToker nor activist, but only patients," and that "no instruction, regardless of its origin or how highly placed it may be, can release them from their oath." This call for clarity aims to dispel any public uncertainty regarding the unwavering commitment of medical professionals to their ethical obligations.

The open letter, which was also disseminated across various social media platforms using hashtags such as #Togo, #Déontologie, #DroitÀLaSanté, and #OrdreDesMédecins, builds upon a previous opinion piece by Atakpama addressing the same issue. This incident unfolds within a broader Togolese public discourse that frequently grapples with the intricate boundaries between political engagement and fundamental human rights, particularly the right to healthcare. The incident underscores a critical need for the Ordre des médecins du Togo to publicly reaffirm the foundational principles of medical impartiality and patient non-discrimination, ensuring that political discourse does not erode trust in healthcare access.

This development highlights the need for legal professionals advising healthcare providers in Togo to review internal policies and training on patient non-discrimination, ensuring strict adherence to the Code of Medical Ethics, particularly concerning refusal of care based on non-medical grounds. It also signals a potential area of increased scrutiny for patient rights advocacy.

Source: Reporting on regional developments.