Appearing before the Medical & Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ)

The Medical & Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ) is a specialised statutory Council which is the custos morum of the medical and dental profession in Zimbabwe.

The MDPCZ is a specialised Council, which is comprised of dental practitioners, surgeons, physicians, anesthetists, pediatricians, pathologists, radiologists, obstetricians and gynecologists established in terms of section 29 of the Health Professions Act [Chapter 27:19].

As the custos morum of the medical and dental profession in Zimbabwe, the MDPCZ as a quasi-judicial organ supervises and controls the ethical and professional standards of the medical and dental profession in Zimbabwe and of importance, protects the public against unprofessional conduct by medical and dental practitioners in Zimbabwe.

Resultantly, the MDPCZ as the medical malpractice watchdog has the authority to disciple health practitioners in Zimbabwe who have been guilty of improper conduct or disgraceful conduct or where a health practitioner is grossly incompetent or has performed an act pertaining to their profession or calling in a grossly incompetent manner.

A health practitioner who has been charged with medical misconduct, or medical negligence has a right to receive a notice which sets out the allegations or charges against him or her, and to afford such medical practitioner a reasonable opportunity to being heard either by him or herself, or through a legal practitioner.

Therefore, a dental or medical professional who has been charged with improper conduct or disgraceful conduct can if he or she chooses, be represented by a legal practitioner before the MDPCZ. Should such a professional choose to be represented, a denial of their right to legal representation would constitute a gross infringement on one’s fundamental right to be afforded a fair hearing.