| Azaraimy HH |
THE Allied Health Professions Council of Brunei Darussalam (AHPCBD), a newly established statutory body, has registered more than 230 allied health professionals.
AHPCBD came into being following the enforcement of the Allied Health Professions of Brunei Darussalam Order, 2017 which took effect from July 1, 2017. It aims to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of the public.
The implementation of the Order will bring Brunei Darussalam in line with the international standards that strive to ensure patient safety and high standard of healthcare as well as registered allied health professionals are competent and fit to practice their professions efficiently.
The Order regulates a diverse group of 19 different allied health professions including Audiology, Clinical Psychology or Psychology, Clinical Laboratory Science or Scientific Laboratory Science, Dietetic, Health Promotion, Maxillofacial Prosthetic and Technology, Medical Social Work, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Optometry or Opticianry, Orthoptics, Paramedics, Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Prosthetic and Orthotic, Public Health, Diagnostic Radiography or Therapeutic Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy or Speech Pathology, and Teaching of Hearing Impairment.
In an interview, Hajah Hashliena Wati binti Haji Salleh, Chairperson of AHPCBD, reminded allied health professionals in the country who have not registered to do their registration with the council.
Meanwhile, Dr Norafizah binti Haji Zaine, Registrar of AHPCBD, said so far three private practitioners have registered with the council.
The primary functions of the AHPCBD are to protect public interest through registration and issuance of practising certificates for registered allied health professionals; to set standards for practice, conduct training; as well as to maintain a register of allied health professionals in Brunei Darussalam.
There are four types of registration – namely full, restricted, conditional and temporary.
The AHPCBD will ascertain the registration status of each applicant based on his/her qualifications and training, practice experience, and other pertinent credentials.
All professionals listed above must register with the AHPCBD to continue or commence their practice in Brunei Darussalam within the first year from the enforcement date.
The AHPCBD officials advised the public to ensure that they receive their treatment from allied health professionals who have valid registration and certifications, namely the Certificate of Registration and the Annual Practising Certificate.
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