Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
MORE THAN 1,600 doctors across the island are practising illegally, despite several pleas from the Medical Council of Jamaica (MCJ) for them to meet the criteria and become regularised.
The MCJ yesterday published the names of the 1,048 doctors who are practising legally. There are 2,673 doctors on the medical register, which means 1,625 doctors are still operating illegally.
MCJ's Registrar Dr. John McHardy said the Medical Act stipulates that doctors should pay a practising allowance each year. In addition, doctors are required to complete at least 10 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME).
The deadline for payment was January 31, but was extended until February. Doctors who fail to meet the deadline are required to pay double the fee.
Dr. Alverston Bailey, president of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), told The Gleaner yesterday that he was concerned that so many doctors have not renewed their practising certificates.
He said his colleagues might not have gone forward to get their practising certificates because they have not obtained the requisite 10 hours of CME.
As such, he is urging his colleagues to attend the MAJ's annual symposium, starting on Thursday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where they can gain 17 hours of CME.
Renewal fees
Doctors practising for less than five years, $1,200;
Those practising for more than five years but less than 10 years, $2,400;
Doctors practising for more than one year, $3,600;
Doctors over age 65 pay $1,200.
