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02 Feb 2011, The Straits Times
Question
'Dr' who's not a doctor...
'Doesn't this amount to practising without a licence?'
MR LEE CHIAN CHAU: 'Why are chiropractors in Singapore, who are neither medical doctors nor academics who have earned a doctorate, allowed to add a professional 'Dr' prefix to their names? Doesn't this amount to practising medicine without a licence?'
Reply
Name of the Person: Karen Tan (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
In his letter, “‘Dr’ who’s not a doctor” (ST, 31 Jan 2011) Mr Lee Chian Chau asked whether chiropractors can add a professional “Dr” prefix to their names .
Chiropractors are not medical practitioners and not registered under the Medical Registration Act (MRA). If he has a doctorate or PhD, he can prefix “Dr” to his name but must clearly inform the public that he is a chiropractor. MOH would like to caution that anyone who advertises or holds himself/herself out as a medical practitioner or practises medicine or any branch of medicine under the style or title of a doctor implying that he/she holds a degree in medicine, but is not registered under the Medical Registration Act (MRA) shall be guilty of an offence under Section 17 of the MRA.