Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, 1988

c· " THE i\i l': Dl C.-i. L Ai\D DEl\.TAL P RA CTIT I C '\[I : \ ,-\CT- 198S , r· 11.--, r-: s 2 I 4 5 0, 7 R. 9. l 0. ! I ' ") ·l I 4, I 5. : G. : 7, I 8. I 9. 20. 21. 22 . 23 24. 2 5. 26. :. 7, 28. 29 , 30 . 11. 1 ~, ;3 , 3 4. 3 s. . \ 6. 17 . J s. J9 . ~o. . j I. (2 . ..\3. PART 1-PRELl ~!l" ... RY Short title · 1 o te rp reta t i o r1 • PART IJ- Tl- I [ \'f l" ](.s L /\:' .> Li \:T Al C Ol t-:C J ! Establi snmc;'.t o~ ,h:: Cc - ;,,c i Duties of the :ou:·,cil Cornposiuon of t'.,e Counc il Chairman of the Council t...-!eetings of1'.1c CoGn c:I Comrr.ittcc of t he Council OD!cers of th'.: Co'J:~cil Exper,scs of t '.: c CoLJnc il PART ]]] -f:.[G I STR AR. R:.:C, IS , [ RS ,\\:Li rk 0C:li~l ! ,· Fl'. TR. 1 10t-: Rq;is trar ar,d r.is cu ti:: . Registers Reg1st rat.,,n 1,f pr2ct1t10:-;ers in th: permanent rc: i, tcr Reg istration ,,f d('nt:st in 1:1c pcrrn:rner. t Regi ster Rcgistrat :on 11 f mc:J 1ca I pri.!Ct 1t1on c.:r s in the Tc mr crc.:n I? q: , ·< n R ,::g:sti'Jt,0:1 0f D~ !1: ,i! p:·::ct1cticn,;rs in th::: Ten1po r.;, rzc- ~ Provisior. ·,1 Rcc!istratiori Rt'g ist ra t1011 cfac' d1t,or,2I c;:;a ,1 !,Ci.liOD· Frigagem~r,; · 1 r.1cc1c1I rr ,1-t1wr:crs ;:nd dcr.ti,t • Pu b:1cauon of list ofregi stc,cc mcdic1.l practitioners and ,kn tists Procedt1rc for Re,Qistrat10r, A ppeal against ref us::! to re!:' is ,er. H.c gist rat ion fe e. Right to prac1ice. Cer tificat e 1n Yalir. !fn o: 1"u:,: by ful!y registncc ;:c rsc:1 Recover, of :"~·es . 1'.1 edical rrac ; 1tioncrs ce::1,cJ Correcti on, a!1 c~2.i io n of, and re1: .0Yals fro m Rc g1s:cr, 1HE DISCIPLINAHY Cc ~!~ l111L Disciplinary Commi ttee . Fu nclions of t he Discipl inary Con1mittcc. S,r ikingnffn·gistercd pcrs C' n c1 1T2 1cgistcr. Appea!5 ~.~J: st cou n::·!::, c.L~:!,10:1. Su oi1 (!11o !O il rro,n pr?.ci1CC. F!Tec rs o: er, :,i1 re e r st:,pc:',,..:r, th: Rq;ist cr . Pr oi.:tco!: gut Di~c:p lrn :ir) C0nHnittcc. MISCELLAM0L S Lce. .1 J 2c\ise ~ to the Cnunci l 2r~d i1s Committee~ . Transiti onal provision. Errors in J R:::g ister. Offence s and penalties. Destruction of the Reg 1s1 cr. Exemptions . Regulations. Repeal of l C1 p, 16-l ), [) 2 Enac tlllen t \ .: \., Short tit le, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A RILL EITTITLJ.D AN ACT to make provision · for tb.e establishment of a Med ical and Dental Council; for the -Registration of Medical <'.!1d Dental Prac titio ners; for the discipline of personi registered under th:: Act and other rnat ter1 conuected therewith. I ENACTED by the Parliament of The G2mbia. PAR 1 1=-P .P-.E LU,!:lN .U. Y 1. TH1S Acr may be cited as tbe Medic;il a. nd Dental Practi tioners Act. 198 ~. - - -- --- - - I I H--0.-2. In this Act, unless the cont ex: c ther,,,•ise require, Mt ice/ and D~nral Practltionas Act, 1988. "dental pr 3c: itioner"' meam c :, y person who is qualified to practice the profess ion of de'.ltistry and is reg istered in accordance with the provisions of tb is Ac:; "medical practitioner" mcano any person qualified to practice the profession cf medicine, and is registered in accordance with the pro-' visions of t'l is Act ; "house officer" me;:ns any person whos.e name dppear5 in the p;o visional reg ister specified under section 17 of tni5 Act; "Minister" me2ns tee Minister responsible for Hec:ltb; "regis'.er" meac.~ tbc re£ i~ters, sµ eci5ed in secti on 12 of this Act; "fully reg: s'. ~r~c·· i:, :-c: h ti on :o an y person menns a person whose name arpcJrs in any or the reg isters speci5ed in section 13-16 of this Act; :: od " Registrar" means the person elected registrar under section 11 of this Act. PART !1-THE ?\1ECJCAL Ais;n D E?-;TAL COUNCIL l 1988. J Interpreta tion. 3.-(1) Ttere is he,eby establi sl: ~d a Council to be known as the Establish Medical and Dent a! Council. men: of the council. (2) Tr.e Council stall be a boc y corporate, having perpetual succes sion and a common Stal witb p1.1»·c:r :o sui: and be ~ucd in its corporc1t•3 fi,i!TI C. (3) Tue Council shall haYe the r ower to acquire, hoid, manage and dispose of movable and irnmovahle property. 4.-( l) Subject to the provisi om 0 f this Act, the C0uncil shJll be res- Du rics of the ponsible for regu l2 ting the profession and practice of rnc:d1cine and dcntis- council. try. (2) \Vitbout prc:Jud;ce to thc,, 6er.c1 ality of subsection (I) cf this 5utiou ( \' 1Le Council shall be responsible for (a) deteiruining the primaryquciiiication Jnd experience requi site for registration ur 1nedical aud den cul practitioners; (b) rq:,,terin& med,cal ac.d dental practitioners; ( c) promotiug 5tanoards of professional coo dud amoni rnedicti and dental practi t,ooers; (d) advising · the Minista on u,atters re lating to tue pw.:tice of medicine and dentistry; ac.d (e) all matters relatmg to d1si.:ip]in, and breac:Oes c,fprofcssiouai conduct of persons registered under this A ct. (3) The Coun:il sha ll ~I.so advise the fvfmister on any ~attcr referred to it. · ~ ] compos ition ...,t the coun cil. 198~ Mtdica/ a, d Der.rel Fractiricncrs Act, 198f-. ~. -( I J T he Counc: 1 shall c , m1;t of tnc f 01:0 ...-,og (aJ the Oin:cror of \'ed,cui S1... rviccs or his represtnt,q1vc: ; (b) three me1,1bers nominated by the Minister {referred to in th i5 t>.ctasnominated members); (c) six mcmber, (rcfer rc:d to in this Act a5 a r pointc:d mcmbc1 :,; :ho ~e r. by tt:e :iod1es hcre1nittn .1,entio:::ied. (2) The norniuatd members shall con~isr of at 1-?.u<;t two persons who ,.,J<' ncither rcg1s,tn:j r.or holding ,rny quaiificJtion registral:,le u ,,de r th1, Au (3) F cur of tlie arroir,tcd mc[;lbc1s sh:ilJ be (:ho,cn by the G:--i111 01..i ~,kcLc:il Jnd l)ent rd aS \('Ciati0n and :he t\\O remaining membe rs wbo shal l be citizens of The Gvmb,a s!dl be chosen :iy t r. e LccaJ Chu pte r of the' \, ,,t Africar. College c,f Ph;s ici::i1:s ai:ci the \Vc<;L Afric:rn College of Sur gecns respectively. (4) All members of the Ccu1,ciL eta,1" ,he Director oi Medicd] :;,r Vf&d ~hal l hold office for Lhre·. y(;a rs but- ;Jay b;; el151b!e 10r re -nom1nat10{\ or re -a ppc;1nt ,nen t as the ca~e me y be, n l I ne exp1r at 100 uf such Lenn. (5) P. person I.h all not be cap::ible cf being chosen c:;s .in arpoir,tcc mem ber unless he isfi.:11:, re~i , tercd ur.Jcr this Act. (6) If any mem ber dies, resigns or is removed from the Counc il , tt new membe r may be r.omina1ed or appoint(d, "1' {he.. c21e rr.2.y te, in h1~ place fo r the remainder cf his tnm of cffce. (7) The r.om mation, :ir pc,intment , res ignation or removal cf a1,y person f101n the Co~;1cil shal l be r.o:.f1cd in the Gazette by tr1c Rc·g;s trar. chairiiiaii o~\ 6.-( 1) There s:-,all he a Chairmon of the Council \I.ho shal l be the cou nci l ,. elected bffbe Council from among its nurnbcrs. M~t iog, of the Council. (2J Tl,c Ch;:i ir1 , :11' ,~,n 1! ix o,fvllt r,·g1)ttrcJ p-:rson of not le~~ ihllt1 filce -~n years ,tand::1g . (3) Tb~ Ch21rrn ::ir, shall be eiccfel fot' a p:-:riod to!' (~11 ce ~1 s 7.-(1) T he val idity of any proceed ings of the Counc il shali ne t be affected by any va(:2ncy a~o ::,g tbe mem hers oft he C0uncil or by any Ge feci in the nomination or aµr,cintme~,t of a rnember thereof. ( ) The quorum of th Council ,iia ll be five of whoni :.it le:Vi, 0 .11.: 1o1 (::11b~r shall uc n nN:")inat..:d memb: ,. t3) The Co, ,ncii rnay, u:,' ~tand, .g orders, IT'.ake provision as to tl". e time 2nd place of thei r mec,ir,gs ar,cl the mock of summoniug th~m and any such standing or0crs rnay .be var ::d or revoked by a subsequent stand ing order of the Cou:;cil. I i I 4. I ----- - -------- - -· - - (4) fr1 r Cl,:i1 rr. ::n sL2:: r,r~s .c't ::.: :. 1: m-:ctings at which he 1s prcs~· ;t G\. rJ.U:' his abse,K, :h~Counol sh11.l\ ~+Gris'. of;ts memb.::r, to presicie. ~ decided by a miij-:,rtty of \he:. ~:,· t: ::c: i, c.n c:qu.t!iry of v~·;•r; I 198s. 5 B -(I) The Coun(!{I r,.~,y C<11\ Sltfuf.e. ot:t of their membership one or Commltc4 of · · · , f l r ·1 i· · the counc il. n· r •: corum1:tccs, ::.: c: may c~,egate to t!iem sucb o t 1e ~ounc1 s u1.:ct1on. , :h1nks f.it. 9.-(1) Tbe D,- :·, ,,~: er tr.e Co• . "cil :b:i!l be tl:c secretary to the OI'!',cm of ( .'il·::l. the Coun~1I (2) -(he ,cc,,L ::· s'.·, .< I keep 2. mi",'l C book in which &ball tx rc c1...'r : ,.ll ti::c minute, ,, 0,d :r2.nsact ;ons c, :}: :: Council. (3) The Cc--un:.. : m2:, ~,~ro;r::.t a ::.•:· 10011 to be the treasurer of tho i.... 11-.:d a.d in de'. .! .1 '. t c f :;·.:c'.1 Z.'.Jp::ii:,,.mcnt , the Rq; ist r:;r shall be the ,su rer. (4) The Cou:1c : s!'.211 2.ppoint sue:: ot !,cr ofr.ccrs as may be riecess :l ry ,he puq,oses ,,- :1-,:s .~.ct. ' JO.-(!) T he (YIOneys p2.;2.b:e to fhe., Council shall be ·.: i!; :,µpro1 :·d l · th -: Council. cJcp,,s:te( i !!, Expenses of (2) The /u::J, ,- : t':·2 Co\: :-: c!! sh:::11 ::i ;:- 2.prlicd for expenses of 1·c?.1'>l,:1 ,;,: t l'.c e;;ecut·,:1 cf t~ ~ ."--.c,. ~~lll - !lEOl Hfl ""R, REC !~TE R5 ;\~'.) PIWCEOL'RE FOR f;.ECJS1RA1JO?-: .11 .-( I ) Thr CwnalJh~ Qrf lli/\tCl.(Zqi ,tt :,: r. ::'.c Cour.c,J (2J The Rc,; ;strar shall be a pcr"cn who is i:! qu3!;ficd medical or !)!,,fpj prilct;:io:1~r of not kss t :-:c111 te!1 ynrs st<1nding and who has r-:en ?:s•.~rcd ID the permanent rcg1iter. (3) Th~ permanent, temporary 2 !1 d provicional registers spe.c ifie d in ~~D l tof ths Act shall, r, tall times , be: kcr, t in t be Cl.lstody of the Regis tr i,. ( 4) Th~ registrar shall, at the direof'",01H•: the C-:ouncil, enter in the ap pro f,'titk registtr the names, addresses end qualifica tions of any person ep f>Aved by the Council to pr:.,ctrce the profr:ss1or. of med1cme or dentistry. Council. Rcg is1rar I cd hig dutic1 . 12,-(1) There shall, for the purpose of registering persons qualified Regi5:m. , . practice the profession ofm::dicine a11d den tistry 1n Tbe Gambia, be ~ept .d maintained by tbe Registru seperatc registers for mcdicul ar:d dental · . ,1cti tioners. ,\fedicc/ en d Dnu. · ,: -.-critirr i Act . 19 38. l.'8 8 -- Re~ is tra lion of mcd;cal pr:i.ctitio-ners the pcrai1 .:n ! reg ister. R~i; is tra tion of dent al p1 ~c:jtioners in the perma nen t 1eg i1ter (2) Tb~ So•~::c: 1 ~( -(\. ii\ iJ:JJhndiq· ordm, pre scribe the form of the reg1sters s?e c::: :d ~::0\l.- · U) a ;:-crr.::ia r.rnt r~gi ,·.cr for d~n:al prac( iti on i::rs; (c) A tempor:iry regi •.t ~r for m:::d:c:11 practitioners; and (d) a tempcrary 1eii.tcr for dtuta l prnctition:n. (3) In addit,on to the regi ste ri referre d to in ~ub sectioo (!) of thi, ~cc t1on, th ere shal l be kc;.it ::ind m11i ,1 tainec1 by tl.l c tee-istrar a prov1sion:1l re r; istcr for the regi strati on of hou se offo.:er (;ntcrns) , 13.-(1) .".ny citi zen of The G::mbia v,bo, in the opinion of the Council is of good (:biracter i nd satisfieifbc Cou r. c:l tb;i.t (a ) he i, in po ~se l. ic n of a primary qutl ification in medic ine rranted by rn in 1t itution int. Comncoml'ealtb country, or (b) he i~ in r,o rn:u ;cn of a 1>rimary quali fication granted t-y an institu tion in~ '.l Y other country appro ved by the Council ; and (c) be i:i by law ent 1t!fd to practice the profession of medicine in the coun try where he obtained bis qualificationi; ~hall be ent it' cd, on paym ent cf tbe J2 fescribed fee , to be reg i,tercd in the r,ermanenl re tister for medical rractiTI or:e rs a1 a fu lly registered me di ca l practit ioners ;snd to have hr s qua1ificet ic n, rc~ istcrcd in the permanent re ii Her for medical prac\ i ~iontrs 14, Any citizen of The Gambia who, in the opinion of the Council, i1 of good characte r and ..fa.ti sfies the Council that- r (a) be is in possession of a pr ima ry qualification in dcnt i5try iranted by an :n~titu tion 1n a Comcionwealtb country, or (b) CcJ be is in r c,,css1or; of a pr i:nary qu alifica ti on gran ted by an institution in any other ccunt ry approved by the Council; no d he is by law entitkJ to practice the profession of dentistry in the country whc,e he obtaine.J his qualificat ic ns; shal l be entitled , on th e payment of the pr:'.scr1bed fee, to be registered in the permanent re gis ter for dcnt ai rractitic::er '. as a fu lly registered dent al practitioners and to have his qu aliCicat ions registered in the Virrnanent re g1 ster for dent ists. \, I N~ J I ins. J .. ---~- -~!~dice! 01:d Do,ral Pra cti tioners Act, 1~88. 7 ;,:(- . 15-(1) Any rerson who is not a c iti zen dThe Gamb ia who s::>.tisfics Registra tion ,the Council that he is of good character and o~~a ~ualificaticn, in of medical f ( medicine gr~nted by an instit1.;t ion in a ccuntrf e:;1proved by the Coun~i!' pructitioner5 I ~ shall be entitled to be registered in the tempor: ry reg1 ~te r for medical in'lhe tempo-;;; practitioners iff rary re.;i,ter. (a) be has re~ived 5pecific appoir.trn~nt to pr&ctice m~dicine with tbe G oY ern!lJent; (b) ce b3s been engaged by a Mi 'S ionary Society or an organisation recognised by the c ,, vernmrnt; or (c) he bas, obtained the approval o f the M; 11ist er after con sulrat1 on ,1ith th ; Coui1cil to pr::ic '.:ce in 2:1 area des i1;.ia ted hy the G01ernment as und~ Joclorl'J urea. (2) f' 16 Any person \1ho is a citizen of Tl1c:: C :1:1b1a, ·.•.ho satisfies 1!1.:'. Rcgis:rdt:on Coufk1! thut he is of good c:,,ircietcr ai1d ocsscssr, a qun:-ic:itionun den of DcnU tg.i;ran ted bru j i1Sl!.! 1,J'c1Q.9 [n a ~o~ntry:.....J pp, 0. e c! bx t he <;;:' Q\J n,,j 1slial i- PracljC ! i0nc1. b e entitlecL.tQ ~ re!';s terc:: ;j 1:1 th~ t~mporar~ r ~ : :1<; ~r for ~e~t~L pract1- In th e tione1s if- .:- ~- - .-- ---~~ - Tempora;y (a) he has re{:ei1d ,pccffic ar,pointrn~ :1 t to pr:,ctice dentistry 1,it b the Go1·ernme.1r; (b) he bac been engaged by a }vfr .si,,nary Society or An organis:ition recogni ,cd hy Gove i' :,, :1 e11 r; (c) be has obtained the app;oval of the Mi:1iste1 on the advise of the Counciil to practice in an Jrcd de\i g11aled by the Govern tT,en, as ::t.'1 " und:r- doct ercc .. :.:rca. n:g iatcr 17.--(1) Any person wh0 is in p,:;s:;0ssiu!l of a ~rimary qualitic:itioo in Provis ional :ned ici1,e or dentistry from an institution appro-v~d hy tk Council but r.:g:station. does not otherwise q,Jalify to be pre-registration i,ou se oG:cer (intern) n.~ gistcrc: d ,mdcr this Act, shall be entitled fully on ;\pph:at io:1 to the regis trar, to be resistere(! as in the provisional iegi , tu for n, ,d1-:: :il or dent :il Qpractitioners as the case may be. ;;:;;- (2) Where a person is registered as a house officer under sub sxtion(l) of this section , such rerscJ) ,§ba ll fellow il co:.me of ~ o the major su c ·alit e, medicine or Jc;1listr · ,·,'·, LJle c;, : . ..: i;1<l be res en c y t!:,e -j! [or a period of not Je~s th:-.n twelve .'ll()uths \xfore app ying for registrcttion ·o c permanent or tempc rary rc cs:cr: (3) At the end of the period of rotation (i11tcin) spec::icd in suhicc tion (2) of this section, a house officer si',all submit ro Coun-::il, Certificate, of sati sfactory tenure of apprenticeship in each scct1 c, n of the rrcscribed ro tation, issued by such supervisurs as may be :ipprv ved by Council in each such revision for tbe training of house officers. (4) The standard of competence required from a houoc officer under this Act, shall be such as rensonably gmantees the posscssic-n of the ~b lls and kno,,,ledge requisite to the safe and ctb:cc1l prJctice of medicine :i nJ dcntimy. ' No, 8 ' ] r, e gistra t ion c f addi tional c;t..; J li ficatioo. [n~~.:emcnt ": medical e r.d dent a: p ·• ~t itionor5. Medical and Dent~/ Frnc tfti o,w J Act, 1 ~~~ j U83 ;s. Au~ person registered i..:nde! sect ion 12, 13 or lf,of his Act, 1vr, o obtains add1t,onal qual1 fica t1on s. other th 2n the qua!ificatfon for which he was reg1 ~tcred, from an in,t1tuticn in a ccun try reccgnised by the Co ur.c il, shall bt entitled to have the qu :il,fi cation s registered. 19. No pcnon sh oll be (n' afcd by any persor. or org :1;:isat 1on to pr.:ictice the p ofcssion of medicine ordent1stryin The Gambia, unf<.H : uch person bas been fully reg istered under thi s Act. Pl,blic ~ti on 20.-(1 ) The Registrnr sball once ir, ~f4J 2 to 3 years, cc mp i! c and 0f li st of publish B listofa!\pcrson s registe r" d und er tt1~ Act, settirg out the name rc:,;istered addre5ses and the medi cal and dental qua lifica tions of all such pers0ns mediCAl and using such abbreviationsasrony be approved bythe Courc il. dental pr11c'- , r-·, \, . \;: ,o r.efu. l'rocedu,e for :Re~istra tion. (2) Any list published undu subsection (1) of thi5 section sl.iall tc prima facie evid ence that the persot1s narred therein are perS(VlS re gistered , to prnctice the professic,11 of rnc (!1cinc or dentistr y in T l.ie Gambia (3 ) All registers avd all copies tbcreof o r extracts there from, cer:16cd under tbe hand of the re g1strar, 5hall be receivable in ail Courts in The Gamb ia. (4 ) The registrar sh al l if ordered by any court, produce or cause to be produced any register in his office without ch arging anything therefore un· I ss the court otherwise d1rects. 21.-(1) Any person who posse,,( s !h( qu 2lifir at ion fer rcgistr2tion ~pecited under this A ct a:1d intcrids to prac~ice the profes~ion of med line c r dentistry 1n The Gambi :1 , sball 8ppl y in writing to the registrar, supporting bis application with l'.Opies of certificates of qualificatiot1 and eviden ce of n: gistrdion from the country \\),ere such quali/kation was obtained , or where such perso11 i~ seeking regis trat ion as a house officer the u1igi11c1 J Certificate of altcr.rntive from tbe i11s tituti on when~ he obtained 1115 hasic qua!ification. (2) The Registrar shall 3ubm1 t any such application to the relevant( Committee of the Council delegated with tlir. re spom1b11i ty ol gett:n:; such applical1ons to Cour,cil. (3) The Council shall on toe rccome ndation of the commi,tcc Speci5~d under sect ion (1) the appl ica tion, give its approval for the appiicant to be registered or decline to give such approval. (4) The registrar shall, not later than fourteen days arter the Council., decision on any appl:cation, inform-such applicant in writing of the dccisio n of the Council. ( I I .,., j ·"1' Medical a,·d DC'1:t,1I Pract 11~rs Act. 1 nt ;: (5) Where approval is given under this sectioc. the rcg1 strnr shall, oo receipt of the pre~cnbed fee, enter the name, add-ress aod qualifications of the person in the appropriate ,egisttr. ' -<, 1988. ' 22.- (1) Any person who is aggrieved by a decisioo of the Council may, Appeal witliin twtnt,-0n-:day, attkt.C 8le Pf \\~td,suc'"-decisicn is ccrnrnun.icatd~ aga in.st him, appeal to tl.:e Supreme C0ur agar~ deotr()11t rcfu5aJ to .,,. rq:1ster. ·ft2) Th~ Cou:.cil ma) appc.r as respondent to the 2.ppeal, and for the- purpose of enabling any direction to be gi,en as to costs of app~al th~ I/ ~ Council shall be deemed to be a party 1hereto \\ hether or not 1t appears on the hearing of the appeal. .I# . -'{ (3) Subj-:ct to t'.1iS sect ion til e Cb 1ef Justice-shall, by Order, male rules for· the purposse of thi ~ section .!="·--· 23.-(1) An) puscn ,1 hose arpl ication for registr2tion in any register has'been ar,proved by tbe Counc i1 shall, before his name is entered in such register, pay to the reg 1:; aar , such fees as may be prescribed by the Council. . 'il" · f24. No person shall practice as a medical or dental practitiour, in The Gain bia unless his na::ne is e otercd in t be permanent or temporary i, giste r. ,"T.i;.• .:rf; ;,. ,~2.5. No certificate o r other document required by law to be si[incd by a · medtcalor dental pract1t1oner, shall be valid unlcsstbe person s1g1:1ng 1t 1~ fully registered . ~ .,f"; :. . ~J'.,. /zi '· No person shall, be entitled to recover any fees charged in any court of law for any medical or dental advice or attendance or for the performance of any operation or for any medicine v. hicb he eid1er has prescribed or supplied or botb prescribed and suppl ied unlt:ss he shall prove upon tbe trial 1bat he is fully registered or otbe1 wi,e quaiified to render ~uch service under any other law in force . . 27. In any enactment the oprcssion "legally qualified medical ..;.) or .clental practitioner", or "duly qual ified medical or dental officer", or 0 ·. "medical or dental practitioner", or any e~ression importing a person recognised by law as a medical or d-:ntal practitioner or member of the medical or dental profession, shall be construed to mean a person v. hose 0 ame is entered in the permanent or temporary rciistcr , 28 ,-( I) Where in the opinion of the Council ;fb . ., :~ : (a) there has been an incorrect entry in any register; or ' t' · (b) 1t 1s necessary to make an alteraton in the particulars of :. }' an: person registered; or :i• · (c) 1t is necessary to remove tbe name of any person from any of ~tt'.;: tberegisters, sli~ll direct the Registrar to make such correct on, alt eration or rem oval Jhe case may be. ~ \ · .. . 1:.-. ~ {,'T !" :m Reg i5tratiou fee . Right to practice Certificate in valid if not issued by fu lly rejlis tcred perrnn. Recovery of f CCI, Med ical and dental pr ac• tit ioncr de fin~d. Correction, alteration or removals from re, i1 ter11 ( 19 88. ]:i Edi.::al and Dental Pracririo11crs Act, 198:'i. :-:----:- ----- --- --------------------- - ~ t PART I V - THE D1sc1PLINAf. Y C OM M ITT EB D isciplinary 29 .-(1) There ,hall be established a D1~ci f lina ry Committee of the Comrn\tte~. -·· . . Council. Un ~,.; t~' ... :,'"' ·r ..,. ~c~, .. ~ ;;.I, • ~~?~;~--\: ~.:. , (2) The D iscip!inary Committee shall bc constituted as fo llows (a) the: Chairman of the Council who shall alc;o be: lhe Cha:rn;a!J; (h) four members of the Council of whom at least one member shall be a person nm registrable under this Act; and (c) the rc~istrar who sl:a ll be the , ,xretary of (3) Any prrsor: appointed to serve on the Committee shall bold ~J office fer a pericd oft !1ree years from the dat, of his appointment but shall, a t , the eT.pirnic r. of his term cf cfl:ce, be el:giblc for reappointment. (4) \\'here the Chairm2n or any member of the D isciplna ry Com .. mittee is, for any reason, unable to perform his duties, the Council shall ap . point any pe:rsc.,11 lrnrn ~,mong it, members to act in th e place of the · - Choirmau or such member. · · Fu□t t ioiis of- 30,- (IJ TteDimplinoryComrr.itteeshall meet, as required tc., attend 1he Discip-li- · to any matter rebt:r.g to tr.e professional car.duct of persons registered nary Commi- under this Act aud referred to it by the Counci l and shall in particula1 ' - •0: ;; ... ~ ~!,/ .'..(· • ; • .,, Erasure from 1be Register , . ' ·;•-1 :,. . )Cl (a) tclc il!l equiry into aEy alkg2.tion c-f µrcfrs"iona l miscon duct made ~gaiLst ,::,y membe r registered unde r this Act, er (h) direct an investigation intc,, ar,y alleged breaches of pro kssional disciplir.e involving any registered member; and (c) submi t its findings and directions to tbc Council. 31.-( 1) Ifar.y regis tered pcrsou (a) is ccr.·,icted by auy Court of any offence involving moral turpitude; or ~oy o~cnc.:: win: l! in the opinoin of t11e Com mittee is in co:rip :iruGk: \\it:1 the ethical practice of rnccii cine or dentistry; (b) after due enquiry, is judged by tl::.e Committee to have been guilty of serious profession cl ffisconduct; or (c) is proved, to the satisfaction of the Disciplinary Commit:ee, to bave been fraud u\ently 1cgistcred; ,:::-. ~- · -. the D isc1pli11ary Cc:nmittee rcccn;1,,end to c:r~.sc~i from the rc~ is ter. the: Cou11 c11 t!12t l,is 1',irnc: cc (2J The council :,hall co11~iccr S'.!C~ nco:1.1,1endat1on anJ may (,;; ni so doin~ re-e.\:.i;nine t:'.e c:'11den..:e and allow tl··e regiqcrcc ricrsuil v,:l1osc nc:mc 1s reco ,nmended for erasure to rnake a1i :1µp cal to Cou11c1I if he so \\'i,hes; and (bJ ~ive rnch direction ,i s it rn~.v think fit, ( I I \. t I I ), -3, . .:. . -~· . . . Medical and Den tal Fractltfoners /.ct, 1988. (3) A di rection of tb e Cou11cil ur.: {~c r this section , ball take effect (2) The Council shall coi1sider rnch recmr,mcnd::1tion nnd may, (u) in so dorng, reexamine the ~vidence and allow the regis :: , tered person 1-,,:1ose name is recomrnendect fur erasure to ,~i .- . m:1kt' an apreal to Council 1f he so des:res: and ~l-\>'t I • ~:: (b) gives uch dir;,;.-tion s as it m;1 y th ink fi~. . ' ;i (~r A direction o;" t11e Counci1 under tb ;s sc·ctio11 shall take effecf ·"· ,, •Jt1. (a) where no arpea\ ur.der secti0;i 32is bro~gbt against any . • • -~ . findir.gs o r directions under tL1s secl1cn, on tbe cx f piratio1c of tbe t ime for app·::aling; ·•: ~~' (b) where an appeal locged l1ndcr section 32 is withdrawn or '.f struck out. on tbe withdrawal or striking out of tbe r;·~ Appeal; or 'i . jJ (c) where an appeal brought under section 32 is finally dismissed ~;:· b)' the Supreme Court. 11988. 11 :;t' ~1. ::, \\ \ ~"ut\\ \\ ,~ C.c:o'0.\\~\\ \\\ '\J'\l.'\':,'\,'c,"\S .. t \j\ c.W:J t l'.l:\iWj \~;•;,~t1 \\:i\'s .t>-:pyic i.\~ Act, fi nds any pcrscn guilty, it shal\ c2.use a :1ot,ce of tbe the findings and "ga1nst the direction so given to be served o,, the persc.·::i to whom it relates. Coynci\'s <'' :~ · decisio 11 (2) The person on wh om such :wt ice is se r.·cd may, withi n thirty c'ays of the service of sucb r. ct1ce, 2;::,pe2.; to tbe Supreme Court in accordance . with such rules as the C!,!ef J·Jsticc !:Day, by Order -provide for the purposes of this section,agair:,: ::-.-:: £:cc:cgs a;-id the directi on so made. (3) Where a person four:;d guilty under this r c:: ction appeals against such decision, the Council shall reques t the Registra r to suspend taking action on any direction it might have given until tbe appea l is Bally disposed of. ;~! D (4) The Council may by counsel, appciH as a respondent on any such appeal , and for the purpose of enabling directi ons to be given as to costs of 'tbe appeal, the Council shall be deemed to be a party thereto, whether they appear .on tbe bear ing of tbe appea l or not. ~/: ii; . ' 33 . . J lJ If any registered person ·; i (a) is deemed to be in such a pby~1ca l and mental state as to /J.· ~\i,: . c;~~l/~~te a s·erious danger t J himself or to member of the :;t '~;t~b) ii. the subject o~ an enquiry into allegations of serious . · Jt;,~: · ·; breach m professional conduct; .· :) : (c) is proved afte r due enquiry to be gui lty, after due w:.ming5, ,,. .. ~· of repc>atcd acts of misdl!menn ours, I i: ~I .. ,,..,, , -,- . . 1· :i~ ,It:, £, »i:;.· ,,t- ~ I t ·· Su1::,emion from Practjce Effe;}~of era sure Medical a,: d Dental Practitio11ers Act, 198~. ( 193/<. the Discirlinary Comm ittee sha!I recofl1m c11 d to "Co unc ii that his nar.ic tc .uspcnded from the Re gistu fo r ::i sp-:c1f1cd period of 11ot,mo1e th ~11 twelve cakndar mo n~hs. · . (2) The Council actn g on th~s r cco mm cndatio,1 ,,:ay direct tile Regis trar to effect such suspensio 1, immediatel y. · or ,uspcn s;oo from the Re~i,ter. 34.-(1) Where tbe nsmc of a person h~s been cr:iscd from fre rcE'i , ter under sectio~ 31 of tbis Ac t the Disci µlin ary Committee may, if th ey think fit at any time, recom mcnct tc, the Counc!l fo r his name to be resto red on the regi,ter on his aprlication. (2) A direction under section 3.1 for SU '. -r:::-nding a person's name frcm a register may prohibit an application unde r tbis section by tha t person until tbe c,<piration of such period from the dat e of tbe direc tion as may b~ specified in the direct ion. •, (3 ) TreCouncil shal lnotcr,,crtamany:,pplicat1onf 1cmaperson w,1ose' Proceedinr; of D isciplioary Committee. ~··· If; ~t:.· ~111'.f, I name has been era sed from the register unde r sccuon JI of this Act w1tr.in a period of two yea rs fron, t::e d,1te of sucl erasuse. ' 35, Th1: Conn .::il shall make fl les as to the ti mes 2nd piaces of the meetings of the D iscip lin~1 y ( omm ittee, the moc-: of summoning the members, and on the ,1d\1c..: of tlle Cllief Jmlice , ,he piocedure to be followed and tbe rules of c\ idcuc-: to be observed in proceedings \xfo rc the D1sciplina y Commit tee. PART V-MISCELLANEOUS Legal adviser . 36. · At the requ est of the Council the Attorney General shall nomi to the Couo- nate a State Counsd of not less~ ,h ve years standing to ac t as legal cil. and its advi ser to the Council and a J'.y Commlittee of tbe Coun c1l. Committees . · Tramitional provisions. Error& iri , Register. 3 7,-(1) Any ci tizen of The Gambia wb o, before the commencement o f this Act, is registered to practice medicine or dentistry• in The Gambia, shall within three months of the coming mto force of this Act be entitleo, on apj)lication to the registrar to be regi stered in tbe permanent register of medical practitioners or dentists as the case rnay he. r 1 (2) Any person who is not a citizen of The Gambia <lud who before the commencement of this Act is regi stered to practice medicine or den t is try in The Gambia shall, within three mocths of the coming int o force of this Act, be entitled on application to the registrar to t:e registe red in the ternpornry regi ster of medical or dental, pr,:.c titioners as the case may be. 38. No erasure shall be made in any registe r, or certified copy ofon ex:ract thereof, but where an error occurs, a line of red ink shai l be drawr.. through any word improperly inserted so as to leave the original word legible, and any word which may have been ommitted shall either be interlined or written in the margin with red ink, and the Registrar shall subscribe bis name in the margin oppcsite to such correction. I I Ii I ~~: I ~ ~~:,;;, , / ~: \ Medic al and Dento/ Prcctiticr:ers Acr, 19E8. 19~'!, l 3 • 39.-(1) Any person who-,, l . (a) falsely pretends to be a medical oraental practitioner; or , , ,, ~ (tJ) falsely take$ or uses the name or title of medical or clen tai practit ioner; or (cJ takes or uses any name, title e r de~cripti cn falsely implying that he is registered uncer this Act or recngnised by law as a medical or dental practitioner, commits an offence (2) Any person who for the purpose of the registrat ion of any name qualification on or other matter in any reg ister (a) knowingly makes a false stJtcm rnt; , (b) recklessl y makes a staterr,ent which is false in a materia l particul ar, commits an offence (3) Any person who commits an offence under this section 1s liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten th ousand dalasis or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment 40, Any person who wiifully destroys or damages or causes to be destroyed or damaged any registe r or any p;-irt thereof cc mm its an offecce and is liable on cor,victon thereof to a fi:,e 1,ot exceeding five hundred dalasi s or a term of imp ri~onment not exceeding si x mont hs or to both such fine a1d irnprisonmrnt. 41.-:-(1) The provisions of this Act shall not apply to any person who is recognised by the community in which he lives ::ind practi;es as a person who practises a customary system of therareutics. 1 ~) Si.;hc ctic n (1 ) of thi~ ;e:ction docs r.Gt au1horise r ny person to perform any cus1omary system of therapru t1c:· which is dangeict;s to life or health, , Offences and penaltie s. Des1ruc1io n of th e Reg is ter, Exemption,. 42 The Minister inay make rcgulat,or;s for tLe bc:t!c.r carrying uu Rc1; ula1ions, of the purposes of this Act, CJ) 4l The Registration of Med ical Prn ctitione rs 2.1:d Dentist 5 Act, Repeal of ,-' (Cap,164)is hi rebyrc pea!ed, lCap. 164) OBJECTS AND REASONS The Bill seeks :o estabish a .r-.;e dical a 1. d Dental Co uncil, to provide for and control the registrnt ion of Medici! Practitioners and Dentists m The Gambia and to regulate their practice~. Part . I Provides for the short title and int erpre tation clauses. ,,,. . PART ·IL'.lJndertbis Part, the Medical ar.d Dental Council is established i i: and has a le gal entity with powers to regulate the profossions , , and practice of Medicine and c!cntistry . The Council sh::111 be , if;; , , responsible for all matter rel.;1ing to discip li ne and breaches 1i, ·, of professional conduct, This p:1rt a!so, make provision for the ~ st11Jcture tf th.e Council and its procedure. ·\ .\ -~. This p,nt ,:l~o stif:,Ubtt·s tJ-,c cor.ditions fo r rer:str3tion in any one of th e 3 different type s of ·re[" 1ers . It fui"th cr rqw lc1 tes the;: proq:dure for renewal of ng1st ra tion und er the Act. T hc1e is also provis iori fo r the publicaton cf the list ofregi5te1cd medical practitioners and dentists and such li st s!-i ai l be prirr.u faci c e\'idei:ce that the person r.amed therein are persor,s regi stered to practice medicine or Jentistry in The Gambia . Where a person is aggreived by a d.::ci sion oft he Counci l, this rut empowers such person to appeal to tbe Supreme cou rt ogainst the cecision. ' PART IV. Provides for tbc cs1ablishment of a disciplinary committee of t!Je Council r11 ,ci its constitu tion. This part a1s0 sets out the function s of tk disciplinary con'mittce which are to hold enquiries in to c1ny ~&::gat ion cf r,rofcssional misconduc t ma de against any me mber rcg iste rec unde r tll e Act, or to direct an ir1vesti~ation 1;110 u:1y alle ged breaches of professi cnal discipline and s•-1 brcit its findings and d1rc:ctions tot-he Council. This part also fo rmulates the disc iplinary action to be ievied against memt.ns who are found quilty of misconduct, and alsoregulatesthcpr9 c.c.durefor appeals aga inst findings of guilt, and stip ·i 1a tcs the consequences fo r being strll:e off the re ,c; istcr. PART y This part provid es 1or mi~ccllancous m3t:crs pertaining to tbc Act, such as th e arpointmer,t of a state counsel to ad,ise the Council .on m::itters of l:lw, transition al prov1siom an offences and r,cn al t1es. This part also provicies for exemption of any person \\ho prnct iscs any customnry system of therapeutics w]1;ch is not dan ;erous to life 9r health . Finally tbe Mcdic::il PL'.Ctitioner and Dentists Act Cap 164 is repealed unci er this part. -- L. N'k, Min/srer of Health, .[ abour ar,d r/;c Environ111e111 P110Led by the Govcmmcct Pri □ ta, B.: r.jul-993/586/4S0. I ,