Prof Okiria gets another term as head of Allied Health Council
Prof John Charles Okiria, the Chairperson of the ninth Allied Health Professionals Council takes oath on February 18, 2025. PHOTO/TONNY ABET
What you need to know:
- The minister also commended the outgoing eighth council, noting that it had performed exceptionally well in its regulatory role, scoring 99 percent.
The Ministry of Health has today inaugurated the ninth Allied Health Professionals Council, reappointing Prof. John Charles Okiria as the council’s chairperson for another term.
Speaking during the inauguration in Kampala, State Minister for Health in Charge of General Duties, Anifa Kawooya, urged council members to remain committed to safeguarding the public from unqualified health workers.
“The biggest challenge you face is ensuring ethical practices, public safety, and eliminating forgeries and masqueraders. I am pleased to hear that addressing these issues is a priority for the council, and I encourage you to act without fear or favor,” she said.
Kawooya emphasized the importance of professional integrity, reminding council members of their duty to uphold the oath they took.
“Your primary responsibility is not just the money you earn but ensuring that those in the health sector are truly professionals dedicated to saving lives, not quacks exploiting the public,” she added.
The minister also commended the outgoing eighth council, noting that it had performed exceptionally well in its regulatory role, scoring 99 percent.
The council comprises a chairperson, who must be a senior allied health professional, and representatives from various professions, including Dentistry, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Medicine, Radiography, Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy, and Orthopedic Technology.
Council's Mandate
Speaking to Daily Monitor after his reappointment, Prof. Okiria, now serving his third term, reiterated the council’s role in regulating, registering, and licensing allied health professionals, as well as accrediting institutions that meet the required standards to offer health services.
“We are currently focused on tackling the rise of unqualified practitioners and mushrooming institutions that claim to provide healthcare services. There are people performing surgical operations and treating patients without the necessary qualifications, and we are determined to crack down on them,” he said.
