The Indian Physiotherapists Association has demanded inclusion of physiotherapy in the central government's department of AYUSH.
The association has decided to send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put forth their request, IPA general secretary Dr Ketan Bhatikar told PTI today.
A resolution to this effect was passed at a two-day national summit on physiotherapy held here which concluded last night, he said.
The inclusion of physiotherapy in Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and formation of a central council for this health care profession will give an independent status to physiotherapists, at par with other medical professionals, he said.
The Department of AYUSH is a governmental body for developing education and research in ayurveda, yoga, unani, naturopathy, siddha, homoeopathy and other alternative medicine systems.
"The formation of a council will enhance the status of physiotherapy profession, as the role of physiotherapists in the delivery of health services, including investigation, treatment and prevention of disease by virtue of special skills, is paramount and they are most the critical manpower for providing preventive and curative health service," Bhatikar said.
However, due to the absence of proper laws and regulatory systems, the profession is not getting its due recognition, he said.
The council will play a major role in curbing the growth of sub-standard, unauthorised physiotherapy courses and will also ensure high quality physiotherapy care and services to the needy people, he said.
The delegates at the summit also suggested that physiotherapists be allowed to used the prefix 'doctor' as they claimed that physiotherapists are not paramedics, he added.
Nearly 1,000 physiotherapists from different parts of the country attended the summit.
