The current discussion on the conduct of certain ministers and parliamentary secretaries regarding their continuing practice of medicine and or surgery seems to be pivoting round the observance of the Ministerial Code of Ethics (1994).

In the case of medical specialists taking on a Cabinet post, consideration of the problem should not focus on the legalistic aspect, important as this may be in a parliamentary setting.

In 1947 the Minister of Health in Paul Boffa’s government resigned because he realised without any prompting that he could not properly discharge his ministerial duties and at the same time pursue his career as a surgeon giving his due attention to his patients.

There were no Codes of Ethics at that time, there was only the public spirit and stature of an outstanding personality who knew how the interests of his country and his patients are best served.