In a significant step towards ensuring that allied health and paramedical workers have the requisite training and skills, the national occupational standards were today unveiled here in 15 job categories by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
With the country facing shortage of doctors and nurses, better utilisation of the whole range of the skills of allied health professionals (AHPs) like technicians and wardboys, a neglected section so far, is the key to health-sector reforms in India and achieving universal healthcare, according to experts.
Terming it as "landmark achievement", the minister said it was a very important initiative by Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) from the point of view of both public health as well as employment generation.
Azad said the fifteen allied health areas requiring diverse skill sets which have been covered in the occupational standards had critical support-roles in the healthcare delivery system.
Having a uniform standard would definitely help in better provision of patient care services in different categories of health institutions located across the country, the Minister said addressing the Healthcare Skill Summit 2013.
The 15 categories include that of wardboys and ayahs, identified as general duty assistants, emergency medical technicians, radiology techniocians and operation theatre technicians.
"Although health is a state subject, the Government of India has stepped in to make healthcare services accessible, affordable and equitable, especially in the most inaccessible areas," Azad said.
The Minister particularly hailed the HSSC for responding to the needs of the community by choosing job roles such as Diabetes Educator and Frontline Health Workers on priority basis.
