Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai

KUALA LUMPUR (July 12, 2010): The Allied Health Profession Bill which involves 23 professions will be tabled in parliament early next year.
 
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Bill, which was in its final stage of formulation, would be submitted to the Attorney-General and Cabinet for approval before being tabled in parliament.
 
"We want formulate an Act that will ensure quality of services, monitor the treatment given and the safety of patients in the care of individuals in these professions," he told reporters after launching the 8th Scientific Professional Allied Health Sciences Conference, here, today.

Liow said the Act would protect the public from irresponsible individuals trying to profit by posing as health science practitioners.
 
He said the Act also aimed to register and control the practices of the relevant professionals including microbiologists, chemists, forensic scientists, speech therapists, psychologists, X-ray technicians (diagnostic), dietitians, medical social workers and health education officers.

Liow said currently there were 32 professions categorised under Allied Health Sciences which served three fields, namely clinical, public health and laboratory.
 
"They give vital support to doctors in delivering quality medical and health services to the public," he said.
 
Liow said until March 31, 25,857 (83.2%) vacancies of the 31,084 available under the ministry's allied health science professions had been filled.
 
He said the ministry's Allied Health Science Division was established on Nov 1, 2008, to ensure systematic development and progress of the professions involved, as well as quality, efficient and effective services for the people.
 
The two-day conference beginning today, is themed "Sharing Success Through Consensus". -- Bernama