23 October 2006- With patients’ aware of their rights for efficient and effective care and the demand increasing for higher degree of ethical consideration in medical practices, medical councils today had become a part of the medical services delivery and an integral component of national health system.
Medical councils in WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) came together, for the first time in Thimphu this week to strengthen councils in the countries of the region through cooperation and exchange of information.
The three-day consultation that ended in Thimphu on October 19, which was attended by 26 regional councils, deliberated on promoting information exchange among the councils, review existing roles and functions, identify areas of possible collaboration with emphasis on training and continuing medical education and reviewing national legislation and regulatory functions.
It was noted that several countries in the region already had medical councils, which were at different stages of development and with different roles. Some did not have it yet.
“The medical council is an important body contributing to the improvement of quality and adequacy of medical care and services,” said WHO South-East Asia, regional director Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang at the consultation meeting. “Its role is extending to various important areas, particularly in medical education and practice and in development and management of medical services.”
The Bhutan Medical and Health Council was established in 2003, a year after the Medical Act was endorsed by the National Assembly, to regulate medical and health professionals, improve quality care, register all medical and health professionals, prevent unqualified practice and develop reciprocal programmes within the region and the world.
According to deputy registrar of the council, Nawang Dorji, 2,000 medical and health professionals, including both national and expatriates, had been registered till date. It also included medical stores and traditional medicine practitioners.
“Without registration with the council practitioners will not be allowed to operate, even for a day,” Nawang Dorji told Kuensel.
Except for health assistants, technicians, nurses and general house midwives, all of Bhutanese medical and health professionals were educated abroad, mainly in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar etc., on which, according to Nawang Dorji, the council’s inter-country cooperation also sought to verify and authenticate the professionals and the institutes regarding recognition and standard.
“Medical councils besides granting recognition and license to medical graduates need to play a proactive role in ensuring the quality of health services and impart relevant and appropriate skills in intervening the ethical practices,” said the health minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Singay at the meeting.
Chief guest at the inauguration of the consultation, Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay, said as the network of services grew in complexity, the professional councils would have the important responsibility to regulate the highest standards of behaviour of professional practitioners.
“Only the highest standards can guarantee that public health safety is well anchored, a strong legal environment provided and a fervour for professionalism created,” he said.
