In March end, Parliament of India passed a bill to line up a Commission for regulating and prescribing uniform education standards for allied and healthcare professionals with a nod from the Lok Sabha in the form of a voice note on Wednesday. The new bill is structured to manage and maintain the standards of education and services provided by allied and healthcare professionals.
Last week, the Rajya Sabha already approved the bill. Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister has claimed that the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2021 is brought into the picture to fulfil the long-pending demands of the sector. Whereas, improving employment opportunities for professionals is its other aim.
Under this act a statutory body will be established which will frame policies and standards. It will also ensure registration of 50 such allied and healthcare professionals. Vardhan also said, “A common regulator has been prepared for all allied professionals. This will enable a team-based approach to patient care,” he said.
Earlier, the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha in December 2018 which required certain amendments pointed out by the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee. Hence, the bill was withdrawn and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions was introduced last year assimilating a total of 108 recommendations made by the panel.