Parliament has passed the Medical Profession Bill 2026, introducing a modern regulatory framework for medical practice in Dominica and formally establishing the Dominica Medical Council to oversee the registration, conduct, and discipline of medical practitioners.
The new legislation repeals the existing Medical Board structure and replaces it with an independent council responsible for licensing, monitoring professional standards, and enforcing continuing medical education requirements. The law is intended to strengthen accountability within the health sector while ensuring fairness and due process for practitioners.
Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services, Cassanni Laville, told Parliament that the Bill was designed to balance patient safety with professional protection. He said, “This legislation is not about punishing doctors; it is about protecting both doctors and patients by ensuring clear standards, transparency, and accountability.”
Laville explained that the absence of a modern regulatory framework had created uncertainty for both practitioners and the public. He noted, “For too long, we have operated without a comprehensive system that clearly defines responsibilities, disciplinary procedures, and professional expectations.”
Under the Act, the Dominica Medical Council will be empowered to investigate complaints, enforce ethical standards, and ensure that practitioners maintain competence through ongoing training. The Council will also have the authority to take disciplinary action where necessary, while guaranteeing practitioners the right to fair hearings and appeal.
The Health Minister stressed that public confidence in healthcare depends on strong oversight, stating, “Patients must feel confident that the system protects them, and doctors must feel confident that they are treated fairly under the law.”
Government officials say the legislation aligns Dominica with international best practice and regional standards, particularly as healthcare systems face increasing complexity, cross-border practice, and evolving clinical demands.
The passage of the Medical Profession Bill 2026 forms part of a wider legislative effort to modernise health governance, alongside reforms affecting nursing, midwifery, and food safety. Authorities believe the new framework will strengthen trust in the public health system, support professional development, and ensure that medical services across Dominica are delivered safely, ethically, and to consistently high standards.
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