Delhi High Court has Directed the Centre to Establish Professional Council for Physiotherapists

In a recent landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to establish a professional council for physiotherapists. This move is a significant step towards regulating the profession and ensuring that patients receive high-quality care from trained and qualified professionals.   Physiotherapy is a vital branch of healthcare that focuses on the physical rehabilitation […]

March 8, 2023

Preetika Thakur

In a recent landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to establish a professional council for physiotherapists. This move is a significant step towards regulating the profession and ensuring that patients receive high-quality care from trained and qualified professionals.  

Physiotherapy is a vital branch of healthcare that focuses on the physical rehabilitation of individuals who have suffered from injuries, disabilities, or illnesses.   

Physiotherapists work with patients to develop and implement treatment plans that help them regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall function. In India, the profession of physiotherapy is not yet regulated, leading to untrained individuals offering their services as physiotherapists.  

The Need for a Professional Council for Physiotherapists 

The absence of a regulatory body for physiotherapists has led to several issues, including the proliferation of unqualified practitioners, inconsistent standards of care, and a lack of accountability.  

The Delhi High Court recognized these problems and, in its judgment, noted that the absence of a professional council for physiotherapists is a significant concern that must be addressed.  

The court’s judgment highlights the need for a professional council that would oversee the education and training of physiotherapists, establish minimum standards of care, and ensure that only qualified and trained professionals are allowed to practice.   

The council would also be responsible for investigating complaints of malpractice and taking appropriate action against practitioners who violate ethical standards. 

The establishment of a professional council for physiotherapists would provide several benefits to both patients and practitioners.   

Patients would have greater confidence in the quality of care they receive and would be assured that only qualified and trained professionals are treating them.   

Practitioners would benefit from standardized education and training, which would help them improve their skills and offer better care to their patients. The council would also provide a platform for practitioners to share their knowledge and collaborate on best practices, leading to improved patient outcomes.  

The Delhi High Court’s judgment is a significant step towards regulating the profession of physiotherapy and ensuring that patients receive high-quality care from trained and qualified professionals.   

The Budget Highlights of 2023 – Healthcare   

The 2023 Union Budget for India has been announced, and it contains several highlights in the healthcare sector.  

The government has allocated a significant portion of the budget towards improving healthcare infrastructure, providing access to essential medicines, and strengthening the public health system.   

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key highlights of the 2023 Budget for healthcare.  

Strengthening the Public Health System  

One of the critical focus areas of the 2023 Budget is strengthening the public health system in India. The government has allocated INR 2,23,846 crore towards the healthcare sector, which includes INR 64,180 crore for the Department of Health and Family Welfare.   

This funding will be used to strengthen the existing healthcare infrastructure, increase the availability of essential medicines, and improve the quality of healthcare services provided to citizens.  

The government has also allocated INR 50,000 crore towards the Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana, which aims to strengthen the country’s primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare infrastructure.  

Universal Health Coverage  

The government has also allocated INR 33,243 crore towards the AB-PMJAY scheme, which aims to provide universal health coverage to all citizens.   

The scheme provides free health insurance coverage of up to five lakh per family per year and covers several medical procedures and services.   

The additional funding will be used to expand the scheme’s coverage, increase the number of hospitals, and improve the quality of healthcare services provided under the scheme.

Improving Medical Education  

The 2023 Budget also focuses on improving medical education in India. The government has allocated INR 12,060 crore towards the Department of Health Research, which includes funding for medical education and research.   

This funding will be used to establish new medical colleges, upgrade existing ones, and provide training to healthcare professionals.   

The government also plans to establish a National Medical Commission, which will replace the Medical Council of India and be responsible for regulating medical education and the medical profession in India.  

Digital Health  

The government has also announced several initiatives aimed at promoting digital health in India. The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), which was launched in 2020, aims to create a digital health ecosystem that will provide citizens with access to their health records, e-pharmacies, and telemedicine services.   

The government has allocated INR 1,500 crore towards the NDHM, which will be used to expand the scheme’s coverage and improve the quality of digital health services provided to citizens.   

The centre will focus on developing new technologies and solutions that will improve the quality of healthcare services provided to citizens.   

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