Due to lack of
regulatory body for physiotherapist and occupational therapists, the exact
numbers of professionals working under these two groups are not known.
In order to know
the status of allied health professionals in the country, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare (MoHFW) conducted a study and published report with
technical support from Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) in 2012.
As per the report, the healthcare system
lacks 64 lakh allied health providers in all streams as indicated in Annexure.
Physiotherapist and Occupational therapist, based on their work profile come
under rehabilitation group. The details of supply demand gap of rehabilitation
group has been mentioned below along with other professions:
Demand Supply gap
across various allied health professions in India
Allied Health Workforce Category
|
Demand
|
Supply
|
Gap
|
Unadjusted
|
Efficiency-Access Adjusted
|
Ophthalmology related
|
145236
|
17,678
|
127558
|
136039
|
Rehabilitation /other related
|
1862584
|
40,265
|
1822319
|
1841637
|
Surgical intervention technology
|
205088
|
7,215
|
197873
|
208618
|
Medical lab technology
|
76884
|
15,214
|
61670
|
70603
|
Radiography and imaging technology
|
23649
|
4,352
|
19297
|
20971
|
Audiology/ speech language pathology
|
10599
|
3,263
|
7336
|
8901
|
Medical technology
|
239657
|
3587
|
236070
|
237791
|
Dental assistance related technology
|
2048391
|
6,243
|
2042148
|
2045143
|
Surgery and anaesthesia related technology
|
862193
|
4,050
|
858143
|
860086
|
Miscellaneous
|
1074473
|
181,511
|
892962
|
980045
|
Total
|
|
|
6265376
|
6409834
|
Source
– PHFI report [1]
Measures and initiatives taken by the
Ministry in this regards are as follows:
1. Formation of “National Board of
Allied Health Sciences” to standardize the allied health education system.
2. Establishment of National Institute
of Allied Health Sciences (NIAHS) and Regional Institutes of Allied Health
Sciences (RIAHS) to meet the demand of allied health professional in the
country and to provide quality education.
Due
to lack of Central regulatory authority in the sector there is no structured/
standard allowance system being followed throughout the country.
Initiatives
taken by Ministry to determine Standard courses for Allied Health Sciences
including Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy are as under:
i.
Formation
of National Board of Allied Health Sciences (NBAHS) to standardize the allied
health education system.
ii.
Establishment
of National Institute of Allied Health Sciences (NIAHS) and Regional Institutes
of Allied Health Sciences (RIAHS) to meet the demand of allied health
professionals in the country and to provide quality education.
iii.
Formation
of “Curricula Review Committee” to review the existing allied health courses in
India and to create a standardized course curriculum and framework. This will
help to improve the quality of education and the profession.
iv.
Apart from these, strengthening the
existing Government Medical Colleges to start new Allied Health courses and to
upgrade the existing Allied Health education and profession in the country are
being taken by the Ministry.
The Health Minister was replying to a question in the LokSabha
here today.
·
*****
MV/BK/LK