The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA)

The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA)

The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) is a statutory health body established in terms of the Allied Health Professions Act, 63 of 1982 (the Act) in order to control all allied health professions, which includes Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Phytotherapy, Therapeutic Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Reflexology and Unani-Tibb :

The AHPCSA is mandated in terms of the Act to:

• Promote and protect the health of the public;
• Manage, administer and set policies relating to the professions registered with the AHPCSA;
• Investigate complaints relating to the professional conduct of practitioners, interns and students;
• Administer the registration of persons governed by the AHPCSA; and
• Set standards for the education and training of intending practitioners.

The AHPCSA consists of 3 divisions:

• The Council, whose primary role is upholding the functions of the Council as presented by legislation and by formulating policies applicable to all allied health professions;
• The Professional Boards, whose primary focus is providing the Council with the profession specific standards and policy contributions; and
• The Administration, who is responsible for the administration of the Council, the professional boards and the professions.

The AHPCSA is accountable to the Minister of Health and the National Department of Health (www.doh.gov.za):

• To advise the Minister on matters as they relate to the allied health professions; and
• To communicate to the Minister on matters of public importance known to the AHPCSA acquired in the course of its functions.