MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 3.56 p.m.

The Acting Minister for Health (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Medical students who commenced their course in 1978 signed a bond before enrolment to serve the Government for five years. Those who had commenced their course before 1978 were given the option in 1978 of signing either a bond or an undertaking to serve the Government for periods ranging from one to four years. The majority signed the undertaking.

The student agrees in the undertaking to serve the Government diligently during his housemanship and for a prescribed period after full registration under the Medical Registration Act. He also agrees to cease the practice of medicine and surgery if he fails to fulfil his obligation to serve the Government.

For the effective enforcement of the undertaking, the Medical Council should have the power to remove from the register the name of any person who defaults his undertaking. The Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill seeks to provide the Medical Council with such power. A similar Bill will be introduced soon to cover the Dental students.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr S. Dhanabalan].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.