Delhi physiotherapists on two-day hunger-strike

Updated on: Thursday, December 01, 2011

In the absence of a regulatory body and a framework for curriculum, the number of institutes teaching physiotherapy is fast declining. Angered by the neglect and below par service conditions , more than 1,000 physiotherapists went on a two-day hunger strike in the city, demanding a regulatory body on the lines of the Medical Council of India on Tuesday . Over 67,000 physiotherapists are planning a nationwide campaign for the passage of the bill for a Central Physiotherapy Council.

Since 2008, the number of physiotherapy institutes has come down from 413 to 260. In all, there are 22 government institutes offering physiotherapy as a course. Every year, more than 10,000 students take admission in these institutes. But these days, most students either don't continue in the profession or go abroad to practise or for further studies.

"With the decrease in the number of institutes, there is a corresponding dip in the number of students . The good ones usually change their profession as there is little opportunity for growth and the service conditions are generally poor. This is primarily because there are no regulations for the courses run by different institutes and the conduct of the professionals ," said Dr Sanjiv K Jha, general secretary of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP).
 

Times of India

More Education news