Section 55 of The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021
No allied and healthcare professional shall
discharge any duty or perform any function not authorised by this Act or any treatment not authorised within the scope of practice of the profession.
Summary
- Allied and healthcare professionals are only allowed to do the duties authorised by the Act.
- They cannot perform any functions that fall outside what the Act allows for them.
- They are strictly forbidden from providing any treatment that is not within the defined scope of practice for their specific profession.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can I perform a medical procedure if I know how to do it but it is not in my profession's scope?
No, you cannot. You are only allowed to perform treatments that are explicitly authorised within your profession's scope of practice.
2. Does this rule apply to all registered professionals under the Act?
Yes, it applies to every allied and healthcare professional who operates under this Act.
3. What happens if an employer asks me to do a duty not authorised by the Act?
You must not do it. The Act explicitly forbids you from discharging any duty or performing any function not authorised by the law.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 55 of The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, what is the primary restriction on the practice of allied and healthcare professionals?
Q2.Under Section 55 of The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, which of the following activities is prohibited for a registered professional?
Q3.Under Section 55 of The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, who determines the boundaries of what a professional can and cannot do?
Q4.Under Section 55 of The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, does the law permit a professional to take on unauthorised duties in emergency situations?