Posted on: Fri 27-09-2013

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria MDCN has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of medical, dental and alternative medicine practice in Nigeria including clinical laboratory practice by members of the professions as stipulated by the provision of the Medical and Dental Practitioners' Act Cap M8 LFN 2004 andthe various regulatory documents flowing there from.

Council is in receipt of various complaints on the advertising activities of medical and dental practitioners are either ignorant of, or disregarding the provisions of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria on advertisement by members of the professions. Medical and dental practitioners are hereby requested to note the following as provided for in Part F Rules 54,55 and 57 of the extant rules in the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria which is to the effect that;

1. It is a long standing tradition in the professions that doctors should refrain from self-advertisement. This has been so because of the appreciation by the profession that advertising could become a source of dange to the public in that a doctor who was successful at achieving publicity might not in fact be the most appropriate doctor for a patient to consult. Advertising may also precipitate unwholesome rivalry among practitioners. In the extreme cases, advertising might raise hopes of a cure which might prove illusory. www.medicalworldnigeria.com

2. A registered practitioner shall be subject of proceeding before the Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal if he is found to have advertised himself, whether directly or indirectly, for the purposr of obtaining patients or promoting his own professional advantage:; or for any  such purpose of procuring, sanctioning or acquiescing in the publication of notices commending or directing attention to the  practitioner's professional skill, knowledge, services or qualifications or deprecating those of others; or being associated with or  employed by those who procure or sanction such advertisement or publication.

3. A practitioner shall be liable to be subject of proceeding before the Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal if he is found to have canvassed or employed any agent or canvasser, for the purpose of obtaining patients; or to have sanctioned such employment. These are discreditable acts to the medical and dental professions and are contrary to the public interest

4. Health Education is a component of Primary Healthcare which is the cornerstone of the national Policy on Health. Doctors are often required to provide Health Education for the public on electronic or print news media or on the internet. Doctors who get involved in performing such function should not use such occasions for self-advertisement. They should merely present their material in such  a manner as to only serve the purpose of public enlightenment on the health issue under focus.

5. A medical or dental practitioner shall be subject of proceedings before the Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal if he is found to be engaged in, or encouraged professional touting. This includes, but not limited to, employment of canvassers and display of card or calendars in hotels, show premises, banks or any other such venues. Parctitioners are not allowed to produce or distribute calendars, key holders, wall clocks, tray and such other gift items bearing the inscription of names of health institutions or their services because such items are promotional in nature and are likely to excite unwarranted and unhealthy competition among practitioners. it is important to note that these gift items are not to be produced or distributed even on behalf of the practitioner by "well-wishers". www.medicalworldnigeria.com

Practitioners and members of the public are encouraged to avail themselves of the provisions of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria (2008 ed. ) specifically for more details

Members of the professions should please note that cases of advertisement by their nature, are among the few instances where the Investigation Panel can commence an investigation without having to wait for a complaint.

The above notwithstanding, members of the professions and the general public are encourage to make reports of violations to the Council.

Reports should be made in the form of sworn affidavits and sent to the Registrar through the following addresses

1. MDCN House Plot 1102 Cadastral Zone B 11 behind Prince and Princess Estate off Oladipo Diya Road Kaura District, Garki

Abuja. Tel: 09-2902900,2901435,7803059,7802977,7803357 and 07098200749

2. MDCN Lagos Zonaloffice: 25, Ahmed Onibudo Street, Victoria Island, P.M.B.12611, Lagos. Tel: 01-897301, 8979432,8979130

3. MDCN Kaduna Zonal office: 6, North Road, via Abakpa NEPA Sub Station (Red Cross Compound) P.M.B. 2275, Kaduna. Tel:062-290479,08035501266.

4. MDCN Enugu Zonal office: 2, Ogufere Street, OffokparaAvenue, G.R.A. Enugu. Tel: 042- 290070

Complaints can also be sent as ernail attachments to medicalcounciluV,vahoo.com and [email protected]

Council solicits the cooperation and support of all medical and dental practitioners, chief/medical directors and proprietors of private

medical and dental facilities in this effort to raise and maintain the standard of health care rendered to our people at the optimum levels:

This public, notice is hereby made for the purpose of guidance of the members of the profession and the general public

Signed

Dr. Abdulmumini A. Ibrahim, mni

Registrar

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