Dehradun: The Health Department has taken a significant decision to modernize, transparently, and align health education with national standards. A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Health Secretary to expedite the formation of the Uttarakhand State Allied and Healthcare Council under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021.
At the meeting, the Health Secretary stated that developing a modern, trained, and certified allied health workforce is essential in a mountainous and disaster-prone state like Uttarakhand. The formation of the Council will not only enhance the quality of educational institutions but will also play a significant role in developing trained human resources across the country. The meeting discussed the Council’s formation, its structure, future needs, and working methods.
It was also decided that a “Search Co-Selection Committee” would be formed to appoint the Council’s Chairperson and members, which would select candidates based on the prescribed qualifications and experience. The Health Secretary directed officials to immediately ensure the availability of initial budget, office infrastructure, technical support, and human resources for the Council’s smooth functioning, so that the Council could begin discharging its responsibilities as soon as possible.
Paramedical education in the state is governed by the Uttarakhand Paramedical Act 2009 and the State Medical Faculty. Courses in 22 subjects are offered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Following the implementation of the national Act, all these courses will be made more standardized, employment-oriented, and skill-based. The new Act recognizes 56 types of health services in 10 categories. This will not only provide students with broader career opportunities but also ensure higher recognition of their qualifications at the national and international levels.
During the meeting, experts stated that the Act will include several new and important subjects. These include nutrition science, health information management, clinical psychology, dialysis technician, anesthesia and operation theater technician, and emergency medical technician. The inclusion of these subjects will provide the state’s youth with broader career options, better placement opportunities in the private and government sectors, and opportunities in research and advanced healthcare services. Officials stated that this initiative will position Uttarakhand among the leading states in the country in the field of health education and allied health services. In the future, the state will be established as a “health education hub.”
Health Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar stated that the state government is working to improve, streamline, and align health education with national standards. The formation of the State Allied and Healthcare Council will be a transformative step. It will bring uniformity to paramedical and allied health education, standardize curriculum, and simplify and simplify the registration and licensing process. The new Act will include many emerging disciplines and specializations, providing youth with the opportunity to become nationally competitive.
