By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – All foreigners providing related medical services must be registered with the relevant Somaliland authorities.
In a notice by the National Health Professions Commission-NHPC all foreigners currently in the country and operating as medical practitioners in both public or private health sectors must be registered with NHPC within 30 days starting from 26th March 2014.
Similarly this registration also affects those not in the country but planning to, who are obliged to be registered with the NHPC before they start work.
According to the NHPC this demand for registration is pursuant to Somaliland’s health regulatory act 19/2001 as well as immigration policies and foreigners work permits.
The Health regulatory act 19/2001 defines health professionals as those who treat, diagnose or consult patients or individuals who provide services that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment or consultation of a patient which includes and not limited to diagnostic and treatment health workers like X-ray, laboratory and pharmacy technicians.
Therefore all foreigners in Somaliland falling under the above mentioned categories are the subject of the NHPC notice thence must adhere to the deadline of which failure shall result in immediate withdrawal of working/residence permit and deportation.
