Context
Recently the Supreme Court of India expressed its concern regarding the non-implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021.
About
- A PIL was filed in the Supreme court in 2023, over non-implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021.
- It was determined that even after three years, the Union and the states have failed to discharge their duty.
- Out of all states and UTs, only 14 states have constituted the state councils underneath the Act. It has been advised that the above state councils are not practical either.
- The Court requested the Centre, states and the UTs to make certain compliance of the Act by October 12.
About the NCAHP Act
- The Act is aimed toward “regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by allied and healthcare specialists,” along with the ones in fields along with scientific laboratory sciences, physiotherapy, trauma care, and more.
- Allied health expert: It defines ‘allied health professional’ as an associate, technician, or technologist skilled to aid the analysis and remedy of any illness, sickness, harm, or impairment.
- Such a professional should have acquired a diploma or diploma under this Bill.
- The duration of the diploma /degree ought to be at least 2,000 hours (over a duration of 2 to 4 years).
- Healthcare expert: A ‘healthcare professional’ consists of a scientist, therapist, or every other expert who studies, advises, researches, supervises, or presents preventive, curative, rehabilitative, healing, or promotional health services.
- Such a professional ought to have obtained a degree under this Bill.
- The period of the degree ought to be at the least 3,600 hours (over a period of 3 to 6 years).
- National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions: The Commission will carry out the subsequent functions;
- framing policies and standards for regulating training and exercise,
- creating and maintaining an online Central Register of all registered professionals, offering simple requirements of training, courses, curriculum, staff qualifications, examination, education, maximum charge payable for numerous categories, and
- supplying for a uniform entry and exit exam, among others.
- Professional Councils: The Commission will represent a Professional Council for every acknowledged category of allied and healthcare professions.
- State Councils: state governments will constitute State Allied and Healthcare Councils. It will;
- Enforce professional behavior and code of ethics to be discovered by allied healthcare specialists,
- Maintain respective State Registers,
- Inspect allied and healthcare establishments, and
- Ensure uniform entry and exit examinations.
Source: The Hindu