HPCSA A bold and clear plan for the health regulatory body
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ommitted to promoting quality healthcare for all South Africans, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is mandated to protect the public and guide the professions. The HPCSA through its mandate, is also responsible for regulating the health professions in the country in aspects pertaining to education, training and registration, professional conduct and ethical behaviour. Over and above, the regulatory body must ensure that healthcare practitioners are fit to practise their profession free from any physical or mental impairment. The HPCSA is established by Section 2 of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974) as a juristic person. This means that it is a creature of statute, and it can only exercise its powers and functions as contained in the Act and it articulates the Objects as well as the General Powers of Council. Council plays an oversight advisory as well as a coordinating role for the HPCSA whilst also mandated to be the central conduit for communication. Over and above the responsibility of overseeing the 12 professional boards in the health professions sector, Council also assumes an oversight role regarding the implementation of the strategic policy relating to the various professions falling within its domain.
Professor Simon Nemutandani, HPCSA President with Dr Simpiwe Sobuwa, HPCSA Vice President
30 | Public Sector Leaders | July 2022
