Physios demand formation of separate council

New Delhi, Mar 8 (ANI): Physiotherapists from all over India staged a demonstration here on Monday to demand speedy formation of the proposed separate physiotherapy council.

The protestors also demanded to bring about changes to the existing recruitment rule for physiotherapists.

They expressed displeasure as the Union Health Ministry 's failure to form the council, even after the issue was discussed in the Parliament thrice.

Over 5,000 physiotherapists participated from all over the country participated in the demonstration organized by Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) at Jantar Mantar.

The 12,800- member association has for the past 50 years been responsible for regulation of education and practice in the field of physiotherapy in the country.

In a statement, Sanjiv K Jha, IAP secretary said the skills of physiotherapists have risen in the last forty years but the status has gone down, which has not only affected the existing professionals but the new students in this field.

"There two main aims of this protest, first being the demand for formation of a regulatory body for the physiotherapists, which is due for the last forty years. Secondly, the recruitment rule for the physiotherapists is still based on Diploma, due to which there has been no upliftment in this field," Jha said.

"The recruitment should be based on the degree and not on Diploma. If our demands are not met, though I am sure that the Health Ministry will consider our demands, then we would go on a hunger strike," he added.

The association hold a out nationwide peace mission at all state capitals against the policies of the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry towards this profession. (ANI)