Law passed for constant upgrade of medical practitioners

Jan 24, 2009 News

…cannot be registered unless they have 12 credits each year

As moves are being made to regulate the health sector in Guyana, medical practitioners who do not have at least 12 academic sessions recognised by the Medical Council of Guyana will not be able to practise.
After less than an hour of deliberations, the National Assembly yesterday passed the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2009, which amends the Medical Practitioners Act 1991.
When assented to, the Bill will enhance the minimum number of academic sessions a medical practitioner is required to attend in order for him/her to get registered to practise medicine or surgery in Guyana.
At present, a medical practitioner must submit evidence of having attended a minimum of six academic sessions recognised by the Medical Council of Guyana during the preceding year to enable him/her to be registered.
Arguing the Bill on behalf of the administration, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that the current amendment to the Medical Practitioners Act is simple, but its impact could be significant.
He pointed out that the amendments will now mandate every physician who would like to be licensed to practice in Guyana to take 12 credit hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME).
He argued that there are changes in the use of technology in the medical profession, and as such CME and continuing professional development are keys to maintaining competence, increasing knowledge and skills, staying up-to-date, and enhancing patient care.
Continued learning, he added, is both a personal and professional responsibility, and supporting enhanced physician learning is a high priority for this administration.
The Minister pointed out that there is usually confusion about registration and licensure for physicians and other professionals in Guyana.
A qualified physician must be registered to be included on the register.
This registration process simply recognizes the individual as meeting the requirements recognised as those of a qualified physician entitled to independently practise human medicine whilst using the title of medical doctor.
“The license can only be obtained by persons who are included in the register having met the qualifications to be registered. In addition to being registered as a physician, the individual must meet other requirements for an annualized practice.”
While the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change supported the amendment to the Bill, Shadow Minister of Health within the PNCR, Dr. George Norton, suggested that there should be minor changes in the amendments, which should include, “It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Guyana Medical Council to plan, organize and give adequate notice of no less than six months before the end of the calendar year of the schedule for that particular year, in order to facilitate the re-registration process.”
In addition, the Bill should include, Norton said, that, “Where there is failure or neglect by the Medical Council to perform the requirement, each member of the Medical Council should be held responsible and should be sanctioned accordingly.”
However, Norton’s suggestions were defeated and the Bill was passed as presented.

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Law passed for constant upgrade of medical practitioners

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