India faces shortage of 36 lakh allied health professionals
The paramedic healthcare sector in the country is not only grappling with huge shortage of human resources but also competent professionals as the Union Health Ministry has for the fifth time extended the timeline for the States to constitute the State Allied and Healthcare Councils for six more months, citing ongoing elections and the difficulty in finding adequate experienced players in the specific category.
In its latest notification issued early this month, the Ministry has clarified that “all the state governments/Union territories shall, as soon as may be but within two year and six months from the date of commencement of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 constitute State Allied and Healthcare Councils”.
In fact, the Centre’s plans to set up the Councils in the States have failed to see the light of the day for more than two years since passage of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. The Council for allied and healthcare professionals aims to establish a robust regulatory framework, which will play the role of a standard setter and regulator for allied healthcare, and professionals in the country.
As per the Act, the State Councils should have a Chairperson who have experience in the field of allied and healthcare science, one member from medical sciences field, two members each from state medical colleges, and representing charitable institutions, two members from each of the recognised categories of allied and healthcare professions, among others.
In fact, a report commissioned by the Union Health Ministry indicates the demand for Allied Health Professionals in India is a whopping over 4,700,000, while availability is in the range of nearly 800,000-1,100,000. AHPs deliver expert healthcare services to therapeutic, diagnostic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative interventions.
Earlier, due to the Covid pandemic in the country but again more because of the qualified AHPs, the State Councils could not be constituted by the State Governments within the stipulated period.
As per the Act, the State Councils should constitute four autonomous boards – Under-graduate Allied and Healthcare Educational Board, Post-Graduate Allied and Healthcare Education Board, Allied and Healthcare Profession Assessment and Rating Board and Allied and Healthcare Professions Ethics and Registration Board – consisting of a president and members from each recognised category as specified by the regulation.
Experts in the sector have emphasized on increasing the number and quality of training programmes as well enhancing incentives and salaries as a solution to the problem. Daily Pioneer
