Syllabus: GS2/Health, Governance
Context
- The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has proposed a new registration framework to strengthen allied and healthcare professions in India.
About
- Aim: To bring greater uniformity, transparency and accountability to professional registration.
- It also aims to create structured opportunities for eligible practitioners to enhance their qualifications and competencies in accordance with prescribed standards.
- Key Features of the Proposed Regulations:
- Standardised eligibility criteria and procedures for provisional registration.
- Online application, verification and issuance of registration certificates with unique identification numbers.
- Clearly defined provisions for validity, extension, termination and appeals relating to provisional registration.
- Prescribed bridge courses for skill enhancement, competency assessments and qualifying examinations, wherever applicable.
- Supervised clinical training and institutional requirements for professional skill development.
- Transition to regular registration in the appropriate Central or State Register, subject to fulfilment of prescribed conditions.
National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP)
- The NCAHP is a statutory regulatory body established under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021.
- It aims to regulate and maintain standards of education and services of allied and healthcare professionals in India.
- It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Who are Allied and Healthcare Professionals?
- They are trained professionals who support doctors in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and patient care, such as: Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Medical laboratory technologists, Radiographers, Optometrists and Nutritionists.
Significance of Regulations
- Standardised Mechanism: Establishment of a transparent and standardised mechanism for provisional registration of eligible allied and healthcare professionals, in accordance with the provisions of the NCAHP Act, 2021.
- Bridge Courses: It also provides opportunities for eligible provisionally registered professionals to undertake prescribed bridge courses for skill enhancement, supervised clinical training and minimum qualifying examinations.
- Digital Registration for Greater Transparency: An integrated online registration system to streamline application submission, credential verification, eligibility assessment and issuance of provisional registration certificates.
Source: AIR
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