KOCHI: A two-day conference on ‘Allied Health Professionals and Their Importance in Healthcare Service’ began at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kochi, on Thursday. The meet is being coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Fisheries, Ports and Excise Minister K Babu, who inaugurated the meet, emphasised on the role of allied health professionals in the diagnosis of diseases, management of healthcare-related activities, as well as serving the society.
“It is a teamwork of allied health professionals, doctor and nurses. Therefore, their role in healthcare management is very important,” he said.
Union Health Secretary Viswas Mehta in his keynote address said that a ‘council for allied health sciences’ would be formed soon, and that all the healthcare-related activities would be streamlined in consultation with the council.
National Initiative for Allied Health Sciences director Dr Kavitha Narayanan said that according to recent surveys, approximately 64 lakh healthcare professionals are needed urgently in various states in India.
AIMS medical director Dr Prem Nair, Amrita School of Medicine principal Dr Pratapan Nair and Prof M V Thampi also spoke on the occasion. By organising the conference, the Central Government also aims to modify and streamline the curriculum and syllabus of the allied health programmes in Radiology and Imaging Technology; Radiation Therapy Technology; and Dialysis Technology, and also to set clear guidelines in allied health services.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also aims at redesigning the courses based on skills and competencies, while standardising them to be at par with international standards by tapping the unrecognised allied health courses offered by thousands of colleges across the country.
This would ensure employment for the professionals within the country, and provide a platform for the youth to pursue their careers globally.
Due to the absence of a central regulatory authority in the sector, no structured/standard allowance system is being followed in the country.