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NHPC Act Lr.31 · Articles 1 and 10

About NHPC

The independent statutory body that registers and licenses health professionals, accredits health facilities, and approves health training institutions across Somalia under Act Lr.31.

The National Health Professionals Council is an independent council with legal status in the execution of its mandate (Art. 1(1)). It exists to protect the public from harm arising from medical malpractice — not to advocate for professionals.

What the Council does

Article 10 sets out the NHPC’s mandate and functions. These are summarised — the text of the Act governs.

  • Register and license all health professionals, and regulate their professional conduct.
  • Maintain practice standards among health professionals, consistent with self-regulation and high standards of public health.
  • Improve standards of qualification in the health professions.
  • Promote the integrity and status of the health professions, including declaring a practice undesirable where necessary.
  • License and accredit public and private health facilities and services, and monitor quality assurance of facilities, services and medical education.
  • Investigate allegations of professional misconduct and impose such sanctions as may be necessary.
  • Protect and assist the public in all matters relating to malpractice of the health profession.
  • Advise the Ministry of Health, other line ministries and stakeholders on matters relating to the health profession.

What the Council does not do

  • We are not a hospital or a clinic. We do not treat patients — if you need medical care, go to a registered health facility. In an emergency, seek care first.
  • We are not a court. We can discipline a professional or a facility; we cannot award you compensation or damages.
  • We do not employ health professionals and we do not place them in jobs. Registration is a licence to practise, not an offer of work.
  • We do not run the health system or set clinical treatment guidelines. That is the Ministry of Health.

Read more

  • The Council — The fifteen seats fixed by Article 3, who is represented, and the rules members serve under.

  • Secretariat & Committees — The day-to-day arm of the Council, and the three special committees under Article 17.

  • NHPC Act Lr.31 — The law the Council operates under. An overview, and the full text to download.

This page summarises Articles 1 and 10 of the NHPC Act Lr.31. The Act is the authoritative source; where this summary differs, the Act prevails.

Read the NHPC Act Lr.31 →