The Medical Council of Mauritius was established through the Medical Council Act 1999, a law enacted to regulate the practice of medicine and ensure the protection of public health.

Under this law, the Council is responsible for:

• Maintaining the official register of medical practitioners
• Regulating professional conduct and ethics
• Recognizing medical qualifications
• Monitoring medical education and training
• Investigating complaints against doctors

The Council functions as an independent statutory body, meaning it operates autonomously but within the framework of national health laws.

Objectives of the Medical Council

The primary mission of the Medical Council is to ensure that the practice of medicine in Mauritius is safe, ethical, and professionally regulated.

The Council aims to:

• Maintain high standards of medical professionalism
• Protect the health and safety of patients
• Ensure doctors possess appropriate qualifications and training
• Regulate and monitor medical practice and ethics
• Investigate medical malpractice or misconduct
• Promote continuous professional development among doctors

Through these objectives, the Council ensures that healthcare services provided in Mauritius meet internationally accepted standards.

Composition of the Medical Council

The Medical Council of Mauritius consists of members drawn from both the medical profession and government authorities.

According to the Medical Council Act, the Council includes:

• 14 registered medical practitioners
• 1 representative from the Ministry of Health
• 1 representative from the Prime Minister’s Office
• 1 representative from the Attorney General’s Office
• 5 members appointed by the Minister who are not medical practitioners

Members of the Council typically include experienced professionals with extensive medical or administrative expertise. Their combined experience helps ensure balanced governance of the medical profession.

Key Functions of the Medical Council

The Medical Council performs several critical functions in regulating medical practice in Mauritius.

Registration of Medical Practitioners

One of the most important responsibilities of the Council is the registration of doctors. Only practitioners registered with the Medical Council are legally permitted to practice medicine in Mauritius.

Registration categories include:

• Pre-Registration Trainees
• General Practitioners
• Specialists
• Temporary Registered Practitioners
• Visiting Medical Practitioners

Each category has specific eligibility requirements and documentation.

Maintaining the Medical Register

The Council maintains an official Medical Register, which contains the names and details of all licensed doctors in Mauritius.

This register ensures that:

• Only authorized practitioners provide medical services
• The public can verify whether a doctor is legally registered
• Healthcare institutions employ qualified professionals.

Recognition of Medical Qualifications

Before registration is granted, the Council evaluates the applicant’s medical degree and training.

The Council verifies that:

• The medical institution is recognized
• The curriculum includes both theoretical and clinical training
• The training meets accepted international standards.

Doctors with degrees from unrecognized institutions may not be eligible for registration.

Regulation of Professional Ethics

Medical practitioners in Mauritius must follow a Code of Practice and Medical Ethics established by the Medical Council.

The ethical code requires doctors to:

• Maintain patient confidentiality
• Provide competent and compassionate medical care
• Avoid misleading advertising
• Maintain professional integrity and independence.

Any breach of these ethical standards may lead to disciplinary proceedings

Categories of Medical Registration

The Medical Council provides several types of registration depending on the doctor’s qualification and professional status.

Pre-Registration Trainee

New medical graduates must first register as Pre-Registration Trainees.

This provisional registration allows them to complete clinical internship training before obtaining full medical registration.

The training period typically lasts 18 months, during which trainees rotate through major medical specialties.

General Practitioner Registration

After completing internship training and fulfilling all licensing requirements, a doctor may apply for registration as a General Practitioner (GP).

This registration allows the doctor to practice medicine independently in Mauritius.

Specialist Registration

Doctors who hold recognized postgraduate medical qualifications may apply for specialist registration.

Examples of specialities include:

• Internal Medicine
• General Surgery
• Cardiology
• Paediatrics
• Orthopaedics
• Radiology

Specialist qualifications are evaluated by the Medical Council, often in consultation with the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PMEB).

Temporary Registration

Foreign doctors who are recruited to work in Mauritius may receive temporary registration.

This type of registration allows them to practice medicine for a specific period or under specific employment conditions.

Temporary registration usually requires:

• Employment by a recognized medical institution
• A valid work permit or occupation permit
• Compliance with Medical Council requirements.

Visiting Medical Practitioner Registration

Doctors visiting Mauritius for short-term purposes such as:

• Medical teaching
• Research activities
• International health programs
• Specialized clinical services

may be granted temporary permission to practice during their stay.

Pre-Registration Training (Medical Internship)

Pre-registration training is an essential step in becoming a licensed doctor in Mauritius.

The training lasts approximately 75 weeks (about 18 months) and includes clinical rotations in departments such as:

• General Medicine
• General Surgery
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Paediatrics
• Orthopaedics
• Cardiology
• Community Medicine
• Psychiatry
• ENT
• Ophthalmology
• Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
• Emergency Medicine

During this training, doctors maintain a clinical logbook documenting the competencies and skills acquired.

Medical Registration Examination (MRE)

In certain cases, applicants may be required to pass the Medical Registration Examination (MRE) conducted by the Medical Council.

The exam assesses the candidate’s knowledge and clinical competence in areas such as:

• Internal Medicine
• Surgery
• Paediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Medical ethics and professional practice.

The examination ensures that all practitioners meet the necessary standards before practicing medicine.

Registration Requirements

Applicants seeking registration must submit several documents, including:

• Birth certificate
• National identity card or passport
• Secondary education certificates
• Higher secondary certificates
• Medical degree certificate
• Internship completion certificate
• Work permit (for foreign applicants)
• Proof of professional conduct

If documents are issued in languages other than English or French, official translations must be provided.

Disciplinary Authority

The Medical Council also has the authority to investigate complaints and disciplinary matters involving doctors.

Cases may involve:

• Professional misconduct
• Medical negligence
• Ethical violations
• Fraud or misrepresentation

If a doctor is found guilty of misconduct, the Council may impose penalties such as:

• Warning or reprimand
• Suspension of registration
• Removal from the medical register.

Role in Medical Education

The Medical Council also contributes to maintaining standards in medical education.

Its responsibilities include:

• Evaluating medical training programs
• Recognizing postgraduate qualifications
• Monitoring clinical training standards
• Supporting continuous professional development for doctors.

Importance of the Medical Council

The Medical Council plays a critical role in ensuring that healthcare services in Mauritius remain safe, professional, and accountable.

By regulating the medical profession, the Council protects patients while also maintaining the credibility and integrity of the medical community.

Conclusion

The Medical Council of Mauritius is the central authority responsible for overseeing the medical profession in the country. Through registration, licensing, ethical regulation, and disciplinary oversight, the Council ensures that only competent and qualified doctors practice medicine in Mauritius.

Its work helps maintain high standards of healthcare, professional accountability, and public trust in the medical system.