The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has recently revised the annual fees for practising licences for medical and dental practitioners in the country. This adjustment comes after extensive discussions and resolutions made during the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) meetings, including the 64th Annual General Meeting held in May 2024.
The revision of these fees is a significant step towards aligning with the evolving standards of the healthcare sector in Nigeria, and it underscores the importance of compliance for all registered practitioners. The new fee structure is designed to reflect the experience levels of practitioners and to ensure the sustainability of the medical and dental regulatory body.
New Licence Fees for Practitioners
The newly revised fees for annual practising licences, as outlined by the MDCN, are as follows:
- N40,000: For practitioners with 10 or more years of professional experience.
- N20,000: For practitioners with less than 10 years of experience.
These revised fees align with Section 14 of the MDCN Act, which provides the regulatory framework for the licensing and oversight of medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria. The MDCN has affirmed that these fees will be reviewed periodically in line with the Council’s mandate to regulate and improve healthcare standards across the country.
Legal Provisions Under the MDCN Act
The MDCN Act provides clear guidelines regarding the payment of practising fees and the penalties for non-compliance. Key sections of the Act relevant to the revised fee structure include:
- Section 14(3): This section grants the Council the authority to vary practising fees, subject to approval from the Minister of Health.
- Section 14(5): It explicitly states that practising without payment of the prescribed fee is considered an offence, which can result in serious legal consequences.
Penalties for Non-Payment of Practising Fees
The MDCN has put in place strict penalties for practitioners who fail to pay the revised practising fees within the stipulated time. These penalties are as follows:
- First Offence: A fine equivalent to twice the amount of the practising fee.
- Subsequent Offences: A fine of at least ten times the amount of the practising fee for each subsequent violation.
Additionally, employers who fail to ensure that their employees pay the prescribed fees may also face penalties, unless they can prove that they were unaware of the non-compliance or were not directly involved in the practitioner’s failure to pay.
Compliance and Inquiries
To avoid penalties and to ensure uninterrupted practice, it is critical that all medical and dental practitioners adhere to the revised fee structure. The MDCN urges all practitioners to comply promptly with the payment of their practising fees as part of their professional responsibility.
For inquiries or further clarification regarding practising licences or any issues related to the new fees, practitioners can reach out to the MDCN via email at practisinglicence@mdcn.gov.ng.
Conclusion
The MDCN appreciates the cooperation of all practitioners in ensuring that the regulatory framework for medical and dental practice in Nigeria continues to strengthen, leading to improved healthcare outcomes across the nation.
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