The New Medical and Dental Practitioners Decree 2010 is now in effect from Monday which will protect the health and safety of the public in relation to the practice of medicine and dentistry.

Permanent Secretary for Health Dr Sala Saketa said all the medical and dental practitioners and students will be required to register with the Fiji Medical Council and the Fiji Dental Council.

She said the Decree gives these two councils more powers as they will be responsible for the protection of the public by ensuring the highest possible professional standards of medical and dental practice.

The Decree also allows people to lodge complaints against medical and dental practitioners with the Professional Conduct Committee which will then forward its recommendations to the Medical and Dental Professional Conduct Tribunal.

The Tribunal will consist of 3 members appointed by the Chief Justice and it will make decisions on complaints raised and impose fines.

The Decree outlines the establishment of the Fiji Medical and Dental Secretariat which would provide administrative and secretariat services to each council and also receive and process applications for registration amongst its other functions.
 
Under the new Decree all medical and dental officers who will need to practice in Fiji will have to have a current practice license subjected to annual renewal.

Any Medical or Dental officer who does not follow the law will be fined $250 to $75,000.

The New Decree covers all medical and dental officers within the civil service and the private sector.