The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2020, an essential legislative development, was recently passed by the Lok Sabha. Designed to streamline the education and practice of allied and healthcare professionals, the Bill will provide these professionals with the recognition and credibility their roles demand.
Defining Allied Health Professionals
According to the Bill, an ‘allied health professional’ is someone educated as a technician or technologist, playing a supportive role in diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, or impairments. These individuals must have acquired a diploma or degree requiring at least 2,000 study hours over a period lasting two to four years.
Identifying Healthcare Professionals
Distinct from allied health workers, ‘healthcare professionals’ refer to scientists, therapists, and others who administer preventive, curative, rehabilitative, therapeutic, or promotional health services. These professionals should have earned a degree requiring at least 3,600 hours of study over three to six years.
Recognized Categories of Allied and Healthcare Professions
The Bill identifies specific categories of allied and healthcare professions in the Schedule to the Bill, including life science professionals, trauma and burn care professionals, surgical technology professionals, physiotherapists, and nutrition science professionals. The central government may revise this Schedule after consulting the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession.
Establishment of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions
To regulate the professions, the Bill establishes the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions. The commission’s structure includes a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, five members from various government departments, one representative from the Directorate General of Health Services, three Deputy Directors or Medical Superintendents from medical institutions, and 12 part-time members representing State Councils.
The Commission’s Role and Responsibility
The Commission will perform key functions for Allied and Healthcare Professionals, including managing an online Central Register of professionals and setting standards for education, courses, curriculum, staff qualifications, examinations, training, and fee structures.
The Role of Professional Councils
The Commission will also establish a Professional Council for each recognized category of allied and healthcare professions. Each council, composed of a president and 4 to 24 members representing each profession in the category, may be delegated any of the Commission’s functions.
State Councils and their Functions
State governments will form State Allied and Healthcare Councils within six months of the Bill’s passage. These councils are intended to complement the National Commission’s work and maintain a State Register.
Regulation of Institution Establishment
The State Council’s approval will be essential to establish a new institution, introduce new courses, increase admission capacity, or admit a new batch of students to existing institutions. If permission is not sought, qualifications granted to students from such institutions will not be recognized.
Offences and Penalties Defined
Only those enrolled in a State Register or the National Register are permitted to practice as qualified allied and healthcare practitioners. Violation of this provision will result in a penalty of Rs. 50,000.
This legislatory development is a milestone in recognizing and regulating the increasingly critical roles of allied and health care professionals in India’s healthcare landscape.
