Featured Doctor

AYISI-BOATENG, Dr Nana Kwame

Ghana - Family Doctor

You have recently been appointed to a new position. Could you tell us about it?

Thank you! I have been appointed the Director of University Health Services (UHS) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana. In this role, I oversee healthcare services for a community of over 85,000 students, 5,700 staff, and their dependents. It’s a huge responsibility, but I’m passionate about achieving our vision of making UHS renowned for excellent patient-centered care, impactful research, and the training of world-class health professionals. The UHS includes a 135-bed hospital offering both general and specialist care, and we’ve implemented a family practice model with the slogan, “A Family Doctor for Every KNUST Family,” to enhance primary care access. We even have a web application that allows patients to register, choose a family doctor, and book appointments online, improving continuity of care and the doctor-patient relationship.

Congratulations! Could you tell us about your journey in medicine?

Thank you! My journey started with an MBChB in Medicine and Surgery, followed by post-graduate training in Family Medicine, where I earned a Membership from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2014 and a Fellowship in 2018. Along the way, I also pursued an MPhil in Clinical Microbiology and an MSc in Clinical Leadership and Management. Currently, I’m a Senior Lecturer at KNUST’s School of Medical Sciences, where I teach medical and physician assistantship students. My research focuses on infectious diseases and chronic medical conditions, and I’ve had the privilege of leading or contributing to various clinical trials. With several publications in peer-reviewed journals, I remain committed to combining clinical work, teaching, and research.

What has been your involvement with WONCA, and what has it meant for you?

WONCA has been a significant part of my professional life. I served as Secretary and later President of Afriwon Renaissance, WONCA-Africa’s young doctors’ movement, from 2016 to 2021. I was also Secretary of WONCA-Africa from 2021 to 2023 and now serve as a Member-at-Large on the Executive Committee. Through WONCA, I’ve had opportunities to present my work at international conferences in places like Scotland, Brazil, South Africa, Korea, and Australia. These experiences have broadened my perspective on family medicine and helped me build a network of like-minded professionals. The recognition I’ve received, like the 5-Star Doctor award from the Society of Family Physicians of Ghana, underscores the meaningful impact of WONCA in shaping my career.

What motivates you in your work, and what advice would you give to aspiring family physicians?

My motivation comes from the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives through primary care. The relationships we build with patients and communities are at the heart of family medicine, and that’s what keeps me going. To aspiring family physicians, I’d say: embrace the diversity of this field, never stop learning, and always prioritize patient-centered care. Opportunities like engaging with WONCA or pursuing leadership roles can also enrich your career and expand your impact.

Dr Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng on the WONCA Africa post-conference safari in Nairobi, Kenya, June 2024.