Exploitation Dressed in Religious Garb: The Growing Menace of ‘Pastors’ in our Public Hospitals
In the quiet halls of our public hospitals, a distressing trend is emerging-fake pastors all over. Instead of issues like bed shortages or lack of modern facilities drawing attention, it’s the increasing presence of unregulated self-identified ‘pastors’ who roam the wards under the guise of spirituality. Dressed in clergy robes and wielding anointing oils, these so-called men and women of God are becoming commonplace in our public health settings, often resulting in emotional harm that goes unaddressed.
The question that comes to mind is this: should hospitals, which are meant for scientific healing, be turned into platforms for unsolicited prophecies and spiritual exploitation?
Yes, our country is deeply religious, with spirituality closely woven into our cultural fabric. However, when this spirituality becomes coercive and emotionally damaging particularly in sensitive medical environments it transitions from a personal right into a form of abuse.
The Scenarios:
Consider a woman in labour, her cries of anguish filling the maternity ward. Suddenly, a loud voice interrupts the tense atmosphere: a “man of God” with a megaphone starts commanding demons and proclaiming visions of death if prayers aren’t offered. He claims the unborn child is facing spiritual threats, whispering to the terrified father that unless he donates GHS 200, “the child will not survive the night.” What options does the father have?
Now imagine a cancer patient, already grappling with pain and uncertainty, being told their illness stems from ancestral curses and can only be cured with a bottle of “holy oil” sold for GHS 150 on site. This is not care; it is spiritual extortion.
Where Are the Safeguards?
Where in the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) do we allow unlicensed spiritual healers to operate in public health environments? The Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act, 1996 (Act 525) gives hospital authorities the responsibility to ensure quality healthcare, not to facilitate spiritual experimentation. Moreover, the Patient’s Charter outlines patients’ rights to dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent, rights that are frequently undermined when pastors disrupt recovery and manipulate patients emotionally without consent.
How can religious declarations take precedence over a licensed medical diagnosis? If healthcare professionals risk losing their licenses due to negligence, why aren’t pastors held accountable for spiritual malpractice?
Does This Align with Global Health Ethics?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a comprehensive state of physical, mental, and social well-being, highlighting the principle of autonomy-the right of patients to make informed choices about their care.
Are patients in our public hospitals receiving this freedom? When spiritual activities are imposed upon them, often during medical rounds or early in the morning, does this not violate their autonomy and privacy?
In contrast to best practices worldwide, such as those in the UK’s National Health Service where spiritual support is optional and provided by trained chaplains adhering to ethical guidelines, our scenario falls short. These chaplains aren’t permitted to evangelize or solicit funds.
Spirituality Turning to Emotional Violence
It’s important to note that not all religious practices in hospitals are harmful. Many patients seek prayer and spiritual support voluntarily. However, when spirituality morphs into coercion and emotional manipulation, it becomes perilous.
According to the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846), actions that cause undue emotional distress or disrupt mental stability violate mental health rights. How different is spiritual intimidation from emotional abuse?
Consider the long-term effects on a mother who, after losing a child, is told she didn’t contribute enough spiritually, or a terminal patient who forgoes treatment based on a prophet’s claim that “divine healing” is the only solution.
These interactions instil guilt, confusion, and fear in the hearts of already vulnerable patients. They force families into financial hardship, cloaked in the promise of divine intervention. This isn’t faith.
Where Are the Authorities?
Where are the hospital boards responsible for ensuring safe healthcare delivery under Act 525? Where is the Ghana Medical and Dental Council, the body governing medical professionals? Why has the Ghana Psychological Council not denounced these emotionally harmful practices? Are we waiting for a tragic loss resulting from prophecy-based treatment decisions?
If left unaddressed, this trend could further erode public trust in our health system.
What Needs to Change:
- Policy Reform: The Ministry of Health must swiftly issue regulations prohibiting unlicensed religious practices in hospitals. No one should preach, deliver prophecies, or pray for patients without explicit consent from both the hospital administration and the patient.
- Establish Regulated Chaplaincy: Hospitals should create professional, interdenominational chaplaincy units staffed by trained clergy competent in psychological care that respects patient rights.
- Legislation and Enforcement: Parliament should consider amending Act 851 to impose penalties for unlicensed spiritual activities in healthcare settings. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) must investigate abuse reports.
- Education and Awareness: Civil society, professional organizations, and media must initiate dialogues about emotional abuse masquerading as spiritual care, educating patients and families about their rights.
Conclusion:
Faith can provide immense strength during illness. However, healing should never be undermined by fear. It’s possible to provide spiritual care while respecting ethical boundaries. Yet first, we must clearly define these boundaries-firmly and legally.
We must safeguard our hospitals from transforming into venues for spiritual exploitation. The consequences of inaction are severe, not only in monetary terms but in dignity, mental health, and even loss of life.
When will we stop misidentifying spiritual coercion as compassion? When will we declare that enough is enough?
WRITTEN BY:
WISDOM KOUDJO KLU,
EDUCATIONIST/COLUMNIST,
GREATER ACCRA REGION.
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