An explanation about the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council
Mar 01, 2005
SIR— I wish to correct a misconception that has recently appeared in the media about the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), the Uganda Dental Association (UDA) and the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC).
SIR— I wish to correct a misconception that has recently appeared in the media about the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), the Uganda Dental Association (UDA) and the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC).
UMA and UDA consist of members of the medical and dental practitioners respectively. Members of these professions voluntarily join them because these associations champion the interests the professionals, such as the working conditions, terms of service, continuing education, etc. They pay annual subscription fees and attend annual scientific conferences and general meetings to elect the executive. On the other hand, UMDPC is a regulatory body established under Statute No. 11 of 1996 “to protect society from malpractice and to guide the professionsâ€. The composition of the Council may help to emphasise the differences:
- The chairperson is a senior practitioner appointed by the minister.
- The director-general of health services.
- Two representatives from the faculties of medicine of all universities established by law in Uganda.
- Two representatives from UMA.
- One representative from UDA
- One private practitioner representing private medical and dental practitioners.
The law gives the Council four major functions: licensing doctors, licensing all private health units and fostering good practice in both the public and private health sectors, monitoring, supervising and controlling professional standards, dealing firmly and fairly with doctors and dentists who are doubtable.
Dr John Ndiku
Registrar, Uganda Medical & Dental Practitioners Council
UMA and UDA consist of members of the medical and dental practitioners respectively. Members of these professions voluntarily join them because these associations champion the interests the professionals, such as the working conditions, terms of service, continuing education, etc. They pay annual subscription fees and attend annual scientific conferences and general meetings to elect the executive. On the other hand, UMDPC is a regulatory body established under Statute No. 11 of 1996 “to protect society from malpractice and to guide the professionsâ€. The composition of the Council may help to emphasise the differences:
- The chairperson is a senior practitioner appointed by the minister.
- The director-general of health services.
- Two representatives from the faculties of medicine of all universities established by law in Uganda.
- Two representatives from UMA.
- One representative from UDA
- One private practitioner representing private medical and dental practitioners.
The law gives the Council four major functions: licensing doctors, licensing all private health units and fostering good practice in both the public and private health sectors, monitoring, supervising and controlling professional standards, dealing firmly and fairly with doctors and dentists who are doubtable.
Dr John Ndiku
Registrar, Uganda Medical & Dental Practitioners Council