Medical personnel, like dental officers and doctors, need to know their roles first before they register to become one, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Lisiate ‘Ulufonua told medical practitioners and stakeholders at a me
Speaking at a workshop to review the Medical and Dental Practice Act 2001 at the Tonga Family Health Association Building in Nuku’alofa this week, Dr. ‘Ulufonua said it is important for a doctor to know his or her role and the legal implications linked to that.
“This workshop is about raising the awareness of how a dental and a medical doctor works here in Tonga,” Dr ‘Ulufonua said.
“The committee that looked after this whole program hopes to review the Medical and Dental Practice Act 2001 and see how best that can be tailored for the work that we do here in Tonga.
“That has been approved by the Minister of Health.”
He emphasised the importance of this workshop for the public.
“The benefit of this workshop for the public is that it raises the awareness of how a dental and a medical doctor works to serve and to protect the public,” he said.
“There are doctors coming in to the Ministry and there is a need for some forms of standards for them to meet before they become a doctor or before the Ministry legalise them to become one.
“So in this case it is important for the Committee to review the Medical and Dental Practice Act 2001 to protect both the doctors and members of the public,” Dr. ‘Ulufonua added.
Dr. ‘Ulufonua said that the same rule will also apply for current doctors.
“It is the same with the current doctors. If anyone doesn’t follow or work according to the standards we have a right to disqualify or discharge his registration as a doctor, in accordance with the Medical and Dental Practice Act 2001 review that we are doing now.”
A representative from the Crown Law Office, Marina Moa was also at the workshop to help with the drafting of the Standards Regulation that will be presented to the doctors.
Senior doctors like Chief Dental Officer Dr. ‘Amanaki Fakakovikaetau and Dr. Makameone Taumoepeau also attended the workshop.
The workshop is funded by the World Health Organization (WHO).