The Commonwealth of Dominica has taken a significant step toward modernizing its healthcare regulatory framework with the parliamentary passage of the Medical Profession Bill 2026. This landmark legislation establishes the Dominica Medical Council, a comprehensive regulatory body designed to oversee the nation’s medical profession with enhanced authority and independence.
Health Minister Cassanni Laville presented the bill before Parliament, emphasizing its critical role in transforming healthcare governance. “This legislation creates a contemporary, autonomous regulatory entity tasked with supervising registration, licensing, professional standards, and disciplinary procedures,” Minister Laville declared during his parliamentary address.
The newly formed council will supersede the existing medical board, implementing a governance structure that aligns with current healthcare demands and international standards. Its mandate encompasses several key functions: ensuring proper credentialing of medical practitioners, monitoring professional conduct, establishing clear disciplinary protocols, and maintaining elevated qualification standards through continuous education requirements.
Minister Laville highlighted the council’s sophisticated organizational design, which includes appointed positions such as a registrar and auditor, along with specialized committees focused on education, training, and disciplinary matters. “This architectural framework guarantees institutional robustness, ethical integrity, and operational independence,” Laville explained. “These safeguards benefit patients, protect medical professionals, and preserve the healthcare system’s overall credibility.”
The legislation also introduces strengthened legal protections for medical practitioners operating within Dominica, providing enhanced professional security while ensuring accountability. This balanced approach aims to elevate healthcare quality while addressing both practitioner needs and patient safety concerns.
The establishment of the Dominica Medical Council represents the most substantial overhaul of medical regulation in recent history, positioning the nation’s healthcare system for improved standards, greater transparency, and enhanced public trust.