The Somalia’s National Health Professional’s Council is mandated safeguard public safety by upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and competence within the healthcare sector. Any form of substandard care, unethical conduct, medical malpractice or negligence possess a risk to  public safety, therefore, a complaint constitutes a formal expression of dissatisfaction or concern regarding the conduct or performance of a registered health professional including, but not limited to, professional misconduct, incompetence, unprofessional behavior, physical or sexual abuse, negligence, harassment, criminal offence or health-related impairment that adversely affects the practitioners’ professional performance or compromises the safety and quality of healthcare services provided to the public

Objectives

As per Article 1, section 2, letters (a, b, and g) of the Somalia’s NHPC act no.31 , the council’s mandate include:

1. To protect the public from any form of harm, misconduct, or malpractice occurring with the healthcare sector.
2. To promote ethical standards and matual respect among the various levels of all healthcare professionals in Somalia
3. To ensure the safety and the quality of healthcare services delivered to the somali citizens.

Lodging a complaint

• Submission of filled & signed NHPC complaint form by the complainant or authorized representative
• Initial assessment and preliminary review to dismiss or advance the case
• Immediate actions (where necessary)
• Case investigation, evidence collection and analysis
• Panel hearing
• Decision and announcement
• Follow up by regularly monitoring and enforcing the council’s decision.

Who May Lodge a Complaint to Somalia’s NHPC

• Patients or families affected by inappropriate, substandard or harmful treatments
• Health professionals witnessing or experiencing unprofessional conduct or malpractice
• Employers or employers involving professional or ethical concerns
• Government institutions ,including NHPC and others
• Medical students or members of the general public observing unethical or unprofessional behavior by health professionals.  

Types of Complaints Handled by NHPC Somalia

The Somalia’s National Health Professional’s Council (NHPC) handles ethical, disciplinary and criminal cases involving health professional, health education institutions as well as health care facilities across the country whereby minor cases are resolved within the NHPC, while criminal cases are refered to the relevant courts such as Banadir Regional Court and Somalia Supreme Court or other government bodies. These cases include, but not limited to Professional Misconduct, Incompetence, Negligence, Sexual misconduct, Fraud, Breach of confidentiality as well as criminal cases within the healthcare sector.

Possible  Outcomes of Complaints

Following the complaints filed against health professionals, health education institutions, or health facilities, the outcomes may include but not limited to:  

• Acquittal
• Written warning or caution for minor cases
• Penalties in accordance with NHPC ActNo.31
• Suspension from the registered or license
• Temporary or permanent revocation of license
• Referral to courts for criminal case

Confidentiality and fairness

NHPC Somalia ensures that complaints related to healthcare services are handled with the utmost fairness,  confidentiality and impartiality. each case is managed through a transparent process that protects the rights of all parties, while upholding the council’s Act as the guiding framework for every decision. Information will only be shared with involved parties, and relevant government authorities.