The Ministry of Health wishes to outline the prerequisites for Medical and Dental practitioners enacted in the new Medical and Dental Decree 2010.
In a statement this afternoon the Ministry provided further directives from the Ministry of Health pertaining to the new Medical and Dental Decree 2010 to all Medical and Dental practitioners and to inform the public.
In as far as the Pre-requisites for Medical and Dental Practitioners is concerned, the Ministry confirms that the new decree states three prerequisites for all medical and dental practitioners to obtain in order to operate.
They are:
“ Firstly, there should be annual licensing of all Doctors and Dentists.
Secondly, all medical and dental practitioners are to part take in 30 – 50 hours Continuing Professional Development activities annually.
Finally, all medical and dental practitioners are to register for Professional Indemnity Cover Insurance.”
Having considered the above, there are further directives from the Ministry of Health pertaining to the new medical and dental decree 2010.
The Ministry advises that:
All private medical and dental practitioners have to register with FIRCA, pay VAT and should hold a business license in order to operate.
Pharmacists are not allowed to prescribe medicine for patients. All prescriptions are to be done by General Practitioners.
It is illegal for government specialist doctors to charge patients that are treated during working hours.
This is an issue that is currently being investigated by the Ministry due to public complaints especially the radiology and Special Outpatients Clinics.
The Fiji Medical Council and Fiji Dental Council monitors the registration of license for medical and dental practitioners
The Fiji Medical Association, Fiji Dental Association, Fiji College of General Practitioners and Fiji School of Medicine provides Continuing Professional Development activities that medical and dental practitioners can part take in.
The Fiji Medical Association will provide a clear outline of the Insurance Indemnity Cover Insurance policy in September.
The Fiji Dental Association will deliberate at their annual conference on 7th August on this matter
Finally, all public complaints on health service delivery are to be directed to the Media Liaison Officer’s office at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Suva.