Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council

The Council is a supreme body and takes all policy decisions, it meets at
least twice in a year or as and when there are sufficient items for the agenda,
which needs policy decisions.
It acts through various Committees and offices of the Registrar. The
meetings of the Council are presided over by the President and in his absence
by the Vice President.
The Council has an office headed by the Registrar. The Registrar is the
Chief Executive of the Council and is responsible for all official work including
implementation of the decision of the Council.
The Registrar's office keeps a close liaison with the Ministry of Health,
Universities, Medical Colleges and allied agencies for speedy implementation
and execution of the decision of the Council.
It also keeps a liaison with Council and licensing bodies in other
countries to establish close contacts and develop mutual cooperation and
understanding.

 Various committees
The Council has the following Committees for carrying out various functions: –
 Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee is responsible for administration, finance and
other related matters and is composed of the President, Vice President, and
five members of the Council.
 Standing Recognition Committee:
The Standing Recognition Committee Consist of five Members headed by
the Chairmen of the Committee.
The Chairman & members of the Committee elected from among the
Members of the Council.
 The function of the Standing Recognition Committee is:
1. To recommend that a common minimum level of courses of study for
obtaining graduate and post-graduate medical and dental qualifications be
included or included in the First, Third, and Fifth Schedules, respectively.
2. To Recommend prescribing minimum requirements for the content and
duration of courses of study as aforesaid.
3. To Recommend prescribing the conditions for admission to courses of
training as aforesaid.
4. To Recommend prescribing minimum qualifications and experience required
of teachers for appointment in medical and dental institutions.
5. To recommend establishing examination standards, methods of
administration, and other procedures for obtaining recognition of medical and
dental qualifications under this Act.
6. To recommend that the qualifications and experience of examiners for
professional examinations in medicine and dentistry be prescribed prior to the
granting of recognized medical and dental qualifications.
 Disciplinary Committee:
The Committee is made up of five members, who are led by the
Chairman of the Committee. The Chairman and members of the Committee are
chosen from among the Council members.
Traditionally, one of the members of the Committee is elected from the
Council/Nominated by the Chief Justice.
When a complaint for professional negligence or misconduct is received,
the Committee is responsible for initiating disciplinary action against doctors.
The Legal Member is assisted by Professional specialists. Complainants
and physicians are given sufficient chance to submit their claims, either directly
or through a lawyer.

The Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act, 2010

 Definition (Section 2)
Unless there is anything contrary to the subject or context, in this Act-
(1) "approved hospital" means any hospital or any other institution approved
by the Government and the Council in which a person may receive training, if
any, included in his / her curriculum before acquiring his / her medical
education qualification;
2) "Council" means the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council constituted
under this Act;
(3) "Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee constituted under
section 9;
(4) "dental institution" means any institution providing degree, diploma or
training in dental or dental medicine;
(6) "Registrar" means the Registrar of the Council;
(7) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules or regulations, or by order
published in the Official Gazette by the Government or Council until similar
rules or regulations are enacted;
(8) "Private-Dental College" means any dental college recognized by the
Government and the Council other than the Government Dental College;
(9) "private medical college" means any medical college recognized by the
government and the council other than the government medical college;
(10) "medicine" means modern scientific medicine, surgery and obstetrics, but
does not include medicine and surgery used in veterinary medicine;
(11) "medical institution" means any institution providing degree, diploma or
training in medical medicine;
(12) "register" means any register preserved under section 18, 19 or 20;
(14) "Recognized Diploma" means any recognized diploma included in the
Fifth Schedule;
(15) "recognized dental medical education qualification" means any medical
education qualification included in the Fourth Schedule;
(16) "recognized dental physician" means any dental physician recognized
under this Act;
(17) "recognized dental physician" means any dental physician recognized
under this Act;
(18) "recognized medical education qualification" means any medical
education qualification included in the first, second or third schedule;

 Establishment of Council (Section 3)

(1) As soon as this Act comes into force,
=> A Council named Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council shall be
established.
(2) The Council,
 shall be a statutory body and
 shall have a permanent continuity and
 a common seal, and
Shall have the power
 to acquire, possess and transfer both immovable and movable property,
and
 to execute contracts, and
It can sue in its name or it can be sued.

 Formation of Council (Section 4)

(1) The Council shall consist of the following members,
a) 8 Members of Parliament nominated by the Speaker of the National
Assembly;

b) the Director General of,

 Department of Health, ex officio;
 Department of Drug Administration, ex officio
 Department of Family Planning, ex officio
 Department of Military Medical Services, ex officio

c) The Vice-Chancellor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, ex

officio;

d) Director,

 Medical Education and Health Manpower Development, ex officio;

 National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, ex officio;
 Nursing Services, ex officio;

e) President, Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, ex officio;

f) Deans of,

 Medical Faculties of Dhaka University,

 Chittagong University,
 Rajshahi University and
 Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology,
 Sylhet, ex officio;
g) 2 persons from each administrative department of the country,

 nominated by the Government, eminent persons engaged in the medical or

dental profession;

h) 2 members elected by

 the faculty of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University from among

them,
 not below the rank of Associate Professor;

i) On the basis of the establishment,

=> 1 teacher who is not below the rank of Associate Professor from each of the
first 8 senior government medical colleges of the country, shall be selected
from among them by the faculty of their respective medical colleges;
j) 3 teachers who are elected by the teachers' representatives and not below
the rank of Associate Professor and not more than one from a Medical
College,
=> teachers' representatives which was elected by the faculty of Government
Medical Colleges other than the Medical Colleges referred to in clause (n);
k) The teachers are elected by
=> the teachers' representatives of each private medical college and not below
the rank of Associate Professor and not more than one from a Medical College.
=> Provided, however, that the age of such elected teacher representatives
shall not exceed the age limit of public university teachers;
l) a teacher, not below the rank of Associate Professor in Dentistry,
=> selected from among them by the faculty of the Government Dental
College;
m) The teachers are elected by
=> the teachers' representatives of each private dental college and not below
the rank of Associate Professor and not more than one from a Medical College.
=> Provided, however, that the age of such elected teacher representatives
shall not exceed the age limit of public university teachers;
n) 1 of its members nominated by the Bangladesh Medical Association;

o) 1 of its members nominated by the Bangladesh Private Medical

Practitioners Association;

p) A lawyer nominated by the Attorney General;

q) 1 of its members nominated by the Bangladesh Dental Society;

r) nominated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,

=> 1 Joint Secretary and
=> 2 Specialist Officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary;
s) 2 eminent women engaged in medical research and development
nominated by the Government; And

t) From each specialized Government Medical Education Institution, their

teachers are selected by the Teachers' Association, not less than the rank of
Associate Professor, and not more than one from an organization, two such
teachers.
(2) The aforesaid teacher representatives shall be elected in the manner
prescribed by the Council.
(3) The nominated and elected members of the Council shall
=> hold office for a term not exceeding 3 years from the date of their
nomination or, as the case may be, the election.
(4) Before the expiration of the term referred to in sub-section (3),
=> the nominating authority may at any time relieve any nominated member
from his post.
(5) Any member nominated and elected by the Council may,
=> in a letter signed by the President of the Council, resign his office,
=> but the resignation shall not take effect until it has been accepted by the
President.
(6) No person may be or remain a member of the Council for more than one
qualification in the same term.

 Powers and Responsibilities of the Council (Section 5)

For the purposes of this Act, the powers and responsibilities of the Council
shall be as follows,
(1) Recognition of Medical Institutions and Dental Institutions in Bangladesh
and recognition of Medical Education and Dental Medical Education
Qualifications will,
 provided by such institutions;
(2) Recognition of medical education and dental medical education
qualifications provided by medical institutions and dental institutions located
outside Bangladesh;
(3) In consultation with the Medical Council of any other country or with the
relevant authorities, regarding the qualifications for medical education and
dental education in that country should
=> Adopt and manage plans in this regard, including mutual recognition;
(4) Formulation and execution of;
=> consistent minimum standard curriculum and
=> courses for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental education;
(5) To determine the policies and conditions for admission
=> to the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of medical education and
dental education;
=> to training courses related to medical education and dental education (Sub-
section 6);
(7) Determining the minimum educational qualifications and experience of
teachers for;
=> recruitment in medical and dental institutions;
(8) Provided by recognized medical institutions and dental institutions under
this Act;
For medical-education qualifications and professional qualifications
=> Determining the required quality tests, examination procedures and other
additional issues;
(9) to determine
=> the conduct of examination, procedure of examination and other incidental
matters relating to the issuance of registration certificate under this Act;
(10) to determine the qualifications and experience of the examiners of
vocational examinations for the purpose of;
=> providing recognized medical education and dental medical education
recognized under this Act;
(11) Registration of students admitted to recognized medical institutions and
recognized dental institutions;
(12) With the prior approval of the Government, amendments to the
Schedules;
(13) Registration of recognized medical practitioners and recognized dental
practitioners;
(14) Registration of medical assistants;
(15) Preparation, publication and maintenance of registers of registered
medical practitioners and dental practitioners;
(16) Preparation, publication and maintenance of registers of registered
medical assistants;
(17) inspection of medical institutions and dental institutions;
(18) fixing of registration and inspection fees under this Act;
(19) to take disciplinary action against persons engaged in the medical
profession who are not registered under this Act;
(20) to take disciplinary action against fake medical titles, degrees, fraudulent
representations or registrations, etc.
(21) management and maintenance of all movable and immovable property of
the Council and its audit;
(22) to determine
=> the standard of professional conduct to be followed and
=> the policy to be followed for recognized medical practitioners and
recognized dental practitioners;
(24) To perform such other functions as may be necessary and ancillary for the
purpose of
=> fulfilling the above powers and responsibilities and other provisions under
this Act.

 Executive Committee, etc. (Section 9)

(1) The Council shall have an Executive Committee.
(2) The Executive Committee shall consist of;
=> a total of 7 members including the President, Vice-President of the Council
and
=> its 5 members elected by the Council.
(3) The President and Vice-President of the Council shall, ex officio,
=> be the President and Vice-President of the Executive Committee.
(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (5),
The management and administration of the Council shall be,
 vested in the Executive Committee, and
 the Executive Committee shall implement all decisions taken by the Council
for the purpose of this Act.
(5) The Executive Committee shall be responsible to the Council for;
=> the exercise of its powers and the performance of its functions and
=> shall, from time to time, follow the directions, orders and directives given
by the Council.

 Formation of other committees (Section 10)

(1) The Council may, for the purposes of this Act,
=> constitute such other general and special committees as may be required
from among its members.
(2) The number of members, procedures and responsibilities of the
committees constituted under sub-section (1) shall be determined by the
Council.

 Recognition of Medical Education Qualifications of Medical Institutions

(Section 12)
(1) Provided by any medical institution located in Bangladesh or outside
Bangladesh
=> Anyone with a bachelor's degree in medical education who wants to use
that degree in Bangladesh must be recognized by the council under this Act.
(2) If the name of any medical institution, which is located in Bangladesh or
outside Bangladesh, is not included in the first or second schedule,
respectively,
=> The institution or, as the case may be, the person holding the degree must
apply to the Council for recognition of the qualification under this Act.
(3) If the degree obtained outside Bangladesh in accordance with sub-section
(2) is recognized by the Medical Council in the country concerned,
=> The applicant will participate in the examination prescribed by the council.
=> Applicants who have passed the examination will be temporarily registered
with the Council for a specified internship.
(4) Following receipt of the application under subsection (2) and (3), if the
Council thinks it appropriate in view of the criteria and procedures established
for this purpose,
To recognize the applicant or, as the case may be, the relevant medical
education qualifications of the applied medical institution
=> In the process of amending the first or second schedule, the name of the
institution will be included in the relevant schedule along with the
qualification.

 Recognition of Post Graduate Degree or Diploma in Medical Education

(Section 13)
(1) Provided by any medical institution located in Bangladesh or outside
Bangladesh
=> If a person with a postgraduate degree or diploma in medical education
wants to use that degree in Bangladesh, it must be recognized by the Council
under this Act.
(2) If the name of any medical institution offering postgraduate degree or
diploma of medical education in Bangladesh or outside Bangladesh is not
included in the "A" or "B" part of the Third Schedule,
=> The institution or, as the case may be, the person holding the degree must
apply to the Council for recognition of the qualification under this Act.
(3) Upon receipt of the application under sub-section (2), if the Council deems
fit in the light of the prescribed criteria and policies,
To recognize the applicant or, as the case may be, the relevant medical
education qualifications of the applied medical institution
=> The "A" part of the third schedule or, as the case may be, the "B" part shall
be amended to include the name of the institution with the qualifications in
the corresponding part of the said schedule.
 Withdrawal of recognition (Section 17)
If any report of the Executive Committee to the Council shows that,
To obtain a bachelor's or master's degree, diploma or certificate in medical
education or dental medicine education,
 In the light of the curriculum developed by any medical institution or dental
institution in Bangladesh, the test conducted or the test adopted for the
award of the said certificate, the required knowledge and skills of a
qualified person are not equal.
 Then the Council shall, in its sole discretion, send the report to the
concerned medical institution or, as the case may be, the dental institution,
within the prescribed time, for the submission of an affidavit on the matter
mentioned in the report.
(2) If in a report of the Executive Committee to the Council it appears that,
All orders, directives, circulars or policies issued by the government regarding
medical education institutions or dental medical education institutions,
 are not being properly followed by any medical education institution and
dental medical education institution.
 It will then send the report to the concerned medical institution, or, as the
case may be, the dental institution, within the prescribed time, for
submission of the matter, with the necessary comments in its
consideration.
(3) Upon receipt of the apology under sub-sections (1) and (2), or after the
expiry of the said time if the apology is not submitted within the prescribed
time,
The Council, after conducting the necessary investigations in its consideration,
 shall amend the said schedule in the comments column of the relevant
schedule to the effect that the said degree or diploma of medical education
or dental medicine or additional qualification of the concerned institution is
not recognized after the stipulated time.
 Registration of Registered Medical Physicians, etc. (Section 18)
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the Council,
=> To register professional and recognized medical practitioners, their names,
along with the necessary details, shall be included in a register, and such
registers shall be published and preserved.
(2) For registration and enrollment under sub-section (1),
=> the concerned professional and recognized medical practitioner shall apply
to the council, in the prescribed manner.
(3) Upon receipt of the application under sub-section (2), the Council,
If deemed fit in the light of the prescribed criteria and policies,
 shall register the applicant medical physician and,
 in the prescribed manner, issue a certificate of registration.
(4) The Council shall, after the date fixed by it,
=> not register any professional and recognized medical practitioner under
sub-section (1), unless such physician:
(A) has been
 temporarily registered under sub-section (4) and
 has completed the internship approved by the council in the hospital
approved for medical education at the time of such temporary registration;
Or
(B) Was working in an approved hospital in a position or positions which,
 According to the Council, provided experience in completing the internship.
(5) The Council, after the date fixed by it,
 Shall temporarily register every person with recognized medical-
educational qualifications.
It shall be included in a separate part of the register preserved under sub-
section (1),
 if such person submits evidence to the effect that he has been selected for
residential appointment in an approved hospital and as such, he is eligible
to be considered as a Registered Professional Physician in the overall trial.
(6) As soon as a person temporarily registered under sub-section (4) is
registered as a full-fledged professional physician under this Act,
 the Council shall remove the name of such person from the said separate
part of the register.
(7) If any person temporarily registered under sub-section (4) is working in the
Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology other than in an
approved hospital,
 the Council shall, in the prescribed manner, subject to necessary
investigation, refrain from such person.
 Until a suitable bond is submitted, his name may be removed from the
register.
(8) If any person registered or temporarily registered under this section
acquires any postgraduate medical education qualification included in
Schedule 3,
 on the application of such person, his / her postgraduate medical education
qualification shall be added to the name of such person in the Council
Register.

 Registration of Registered Dentists (Section 19)

(1) For the purposes of this Act,
The Council to register professional and accredited dental practitioners,
 shall include their names, along with the necessary details, in a register and
publish and maintain such register.
(2) For registration and enrollment under sub-section (1),
 the concerned professional and recognized dental practitioner shall apply
to the council in the prescribed manner.
(3) Upon receipt of the application under sub-section (2),
The Council, if deemed fit in the light of the prescribed criteria and policy,
 shall issue a certificate of registration to the applicant dental physician in
the prescribed manner.
 Prohibition of Allopathy without Registration (Section 22)
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act,
No Medical Physician or Dental Physician shall be
 allowed to practice Allopathy without registration under this Act, or
 to identify himself as Medical Physician or, as the case may be, Dental
Physician.
(2) If any person violates the provisions of sub-section (1),
Such violation shall be an offense, and for that he shall be
 Punishable with imprisonment of 3 years or fine of 1 lakh takas or both.

 Cancellation of Registration and Withdrawal of Name from Register

(Section 23)
(1) If any professional medical practitioner, dental physician or medical
assistant registered under this Act is found guilty of;
Violating any provision of this Act or any provision of prescribed professional
conduct or policy,
 the Council may revoke the registration of such person and withdraw his
name from the relevant register.
(2) The Council may, at its discretion,
 re-register the name of the person whose registration has been canceled
and withdrawn from the register under sub-section (1) in accordance with
the provisions of this Act.
 Appeal against the decision of the Council to refuse to register or to
withdraw the name from the register (Section 24)
(1) Notwithstanding the eligibility to register and be registered under Sections
18, 19 or 20,
 If the Council refuses to register and enlist the name of any person or
withdraws the name of the registered person from the relevant register, it
shall not be in writing.
 Within 60 days, the aggrieved person may appeal to the Government within
60 days of the decision.
(2) If the aggrieved person appeals under sub-section (1), the Government
shall,
 after considering the reasons given by the Council for giving such dissent or,
as the case may be, withdraw the necessary order in this regard.
(3) An order made under sub-section (2) shall be deemed final.

 Use of fake surnames, etc. is prohibited (Section 29)

(1) Any medical physician or dental physician registered under this Act
=> Do not use or express any name, surname, description or symbol in such a
way as to make one think that he has any additional professional qualifications,
=> Unless it is a recognized medical education qualification or a recognized
dental medical education qualification.
=> No one other than a minimum MBBS or BDS degree holder can use the
doctor's name before their name.
(2) If a person violates the provisions of sub-section (1),
That will be an offense, and for that he;
 shall be punishable with imprisonment for 3 years or fine of 1 lakh takas or
both, and

If the offense continues for each repetition,

 shall be punishable with a fine of not less than 50 thousand rupees, in
addition to the prescribed penalty.

 Penalty for prescribing prohibited drugs (Section 30)

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act,
No Medical Physician or Dental Physician registered under this Act
 may prescribe any medicine prescribed by the Government for any patient.
(2) If any person violates the provisions of sub-section (1),
Such violation shall be an offense, and for that he
 Shall be punishable with imprisonment of 3 years or fine of 1 lakh takas or
both.