Speaker calls for stronger parliamentary oversight of health regulators

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for stronger parliamentary oversight of health professional regulation across Africa. His purpose is to protect patients, ensure fairness in the health sector, and improve the work of health professional regulatory councils. Bagbin urges African parliaments to assess whether health regulatory bodies have the necessary powers, resources, and systems to protect the public.

He also encourages the Ghanaian Minister of Health to ensure proposed amendments to the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013, are presented to Parliament this year. Bagbin advocates for uncapping the Internal Generated Fund of regulatory councils and releasing funding for Phase Two of the councils' Head Office Complex and Specialist Training Centre.

He stresses the importance of a balance between public protection, fair treatment of professionals, and regulator accountability. Bagbin urges African parliaments to pay greater attention to health professional regulation, as health is a priority for individuals, communities, and countries. He highlights the need for effective regulation, describing it as a balance between public protection, fair treatment of professionals, and regulator accountability.

Bagbin urges AMCOA to ensure that decisions and commitments made at conferences translate into action, suggesting future conferences assess progress on previous commitments before deciding on new themes. AMCOA President Prof. Joel Okullo also urges member councils to move from discussions to implementation, emphasizing the need for practical commitments to be implemented by delegates upon their return.