Functions of the Medical Council

(1) The functions of the Medical Council are– (a) to examine all applications for the registration and licensing of medical practitioners under this Act or any other law; (b) to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the implementation of this Act is enforced for the maintenance of proper standards of professional conduct by medical (c) to develop processes and procedures in relation to the registration and licensing of medical practitioners under this Act or any other law; (d) to examine and evaluate applications, and to recommend to the Registrar the issuance or otherwise of certificates in relation to the and licensing of practitioners under this Act or any other law; (e) to determine which professional schools, colleges, universities, training institutions and educational programs from other jurisdictions Medical Practice Act 13 are acceptable in connection with registration and licensing under this Act or any other law; (f) to appoint examiners and to conduct examinations in respect of persons applying tor registration and licensing under this Act or any other law; (g) to ensure that medical practitioners provide health care consistent with current professional knowledge, practice, norms and standards; (h) to prescribe and maintain the highest standards of learning, integrity, honor and courtesy by (i) to develop and implement methods of identifying medical practitioners who fail to provide quality care and who therefore warrant further evaluation by the Medical (j) to hold and hear disciplinary proceedings against medical practitioners under this Act or any other law, alleged to– (i) have committed (ii) have failed to provide quality care or to observe professional ethics; or (iii) have engaged in poor standards of practice, and, if necessary, to take disciplinary action against such 14 Medical Practice Act (k) to investigate allegations of misrepresentation and unlawful practice of medicine and initiate the necessary legal proceedings in accordance with this Act; (l) to establish appropriate fees and charges to support the active and effective discharge of its obligations under this Act; (m) to project the views of the Medical Council on matters of public importance; (n) to advise and assist the Ministry, statutory bodies, educational or charitable institutions, trade unions, businesses and other professional organizations on matters related to the practice of medicine in Belize; (o) to promote and foster relations with other medical professional bodies in Belize and elsewhere for the purpose of better achieving the objects of the Medical Council, and to subscribe to and join or associate with regional and international organizations whose objectives are not inconsistent with those of the Medical (p) to discipline health care regulated under this Act or under any other law, and to take such action as may be appropriate; (q) to develop policies, programs and procedures in relation to the recertification of medical practitioners under this Act or any other law; (r) to approve and promote such continued medical education programs for medical Medical Practice Act 15 practitioners as may be necessary for the development of the medical practice in Belize; (s) to approve internships and social service programs; and (t) to do such other things as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act. (2) The Medical Council shall have power, from time to time, to make by-laws for its own internal management and control, and such by-laws, when made by the Medical Council, shall be binding.