UPSC Articles
National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill, 2021
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Policies and interventions; Health; Education
In news
- The Lok Sabha cleared the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill, 2021.
- It was passed by the Rajya Sabha last week.
Key takeaways
- The Bill seeks to regulate and standardise the education and practice of allied and healthcare professionals.
- Definition of ‘allied health professional’: An associate, technician, or technologist trained to support the diagnosis and treatment of any illness, disease, injury, or impairment.
- Such a professional should have obtained a diploma or degree under this Bill.
- Definition of a ‘healthcare professional’: A scientist, therapist, or any other professional who studies, advises, research, supervises, or provides preventive, curative, rehabilitative, therapeutic, or promotional health services.
- Such a professional should have obtained a degree under this Bill.
- Allied and healthcare professions as recognised categories: Life science professionals, trauma and burn care professionals, surgical and anaesthesia related technology professionals, physiotherapists, and nutrition science professionals.
- The Bill sets up the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions. It will
- frame policies and standards for regulating education and practice,
- create and maintain an online Central Register of all registered professionals, and
- providing for a uniform entrance and exit examination, among others.
- The Commission will constitute a Professional Council for every recognised category of allied and healthcare professions.
- Within six months from the passage of the Bill, state governments will constitute State Allied and Healthcare Councils.