Allied Health Professions Act to be enforced early next year - Dr Dzulkefly

BANGI, Sept 4 (Bernama) – The Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774) which among others is aimed at regulating the practice of allied health professions in the country will be enforced early next year, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the enforcement of Act 774 which was passed on Feb 4 2016, would also help ensure the provision of quality health services to the people.

Dr Dzulkefly said there were 23 categories of allied health professions under the Health Ministry covering three major thrusts - clinical, health and general lab services.

He said the allied health professions in the 23 categories included Audiologist, Physiotherapist, Nutritionist, Diagnostic Radiographer, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Environmental Health Officer, Forensic Science Officer, Medical Social Officer and Speech-Language Therapist.

“The healthcare system in Malaysia is becoming increasingly important as the number of infectious and non-communicable disease cases in the country is on the rise, coupled with higher expectations from the people,” he said in his speech at the 12th Allied Health Scientific Conference 2018 here today.

According to Dr Dzulkefly, with the enforcement of the act all activities carried out by allied health practitioners would also be regulated by the Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council.

-- BERNAMA