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Doctors and dentists in Fiji have been reminded that they will have to register with the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA), pay Value Added Tax (VAT) and hold a business license to operate, under the new Medical and Dental Practitioners Decree 2010.
Under the decree, pharmacists are not allowed to prescribe medicine for patients. All prescriptions are to be done by general practitioners.
It is also illegal for government specialist doctors to charge patients that are treated during working hours, a government statement said.
”This is an issue that is currently being investigated by the Health Ministry due to public complaints especially the radiology and Special Outpatients Clinics.”
Among the pre-requisites for medical and dental practitioners under the decree is annual licensing, the statement said.
They are also required to take part in 30 – 50 hours of continuing professional development activities annually.
All medical and dental practitioners are also to register for professional indemnity cover insurance.
The statement said that the Fiji Medical Council and Fiji Dental Council monitor the registration of licence for medical and dental practitioners
It said that the Fiji Medical Association will provide a clear outline of the insurance indemnity cover insurance policy in September.
The Fiji Dental Association will discuss the matter at its annual conference in August.
Source: Ministry of Information
