Newly Constituted Council to Regulate Allied Healthcare Professions, Education and Professional Standards Across Haryana
The Haryana Government has appointed Dr Suresh Kumar Singhal, Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, as the Chairperson of the newly constituted Haryana State Allied and Healthcare Council (HSAHC).
The newly formed council has been established to regulate allied and healthcare professions across the state by enforcing professional conduct, ethical standards, and practice guidelines. It will also be empowered to initiate disciplinary proceedings, including removing the names of professionals from the State Register for violations of prescribed norms.
Speaking to City Air News after his appointment, Dr Singhal said allied and healthcare professionals form the backbone of the healthcare system. He noted that physiotherapists, operation theatre technologists, radiographers, laboratory professionals, optometrists, dialysis technicians, and emergency and critical care personnel play a vital role alongside doctors in delivering quality patient care.
Dr Singhal said the Council’s primary objective would be to provide organised recognition, quality education, skill development, and better career opportunities for allied healthcare professionals. He added that efforts would be made to position Haryana among the leading states in allied healthcare education and training through modern, skill-based and employment-oriented programmes.
He further stated that the Council would promote training, capacity building, research, and innovation by collaborating with educational institutions, hospitals, and subject experts. The use of modern technologies, simulation-based learning, and continuous professional development programmes will also be encouraged.
The council will oversee minimum standards in allied and healthcare education, including courses, curriculum, infrastructure, faculty strength and qualifications, teaching quality, examinations, practical training, research, and continuing professional education programmes.
The Haryana State Allied and Healthcare Council has been constituted on an ad hoc basis under Section 22 of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, and will remain functional until a permanent State Council is established.
According to a notification issued on July 27 by Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, Dr Sumita Misra, members of the council will not receive any additional remuneration or financial benefits. The notification also states that any nominated member who remains absent from three consecutive council meetings will have their membership terminated.
The council comprises 24 members, including the Chairperson. Ex-officio members include the Director of Medical Education and Research or a departmental nominee, the Director of Pt. Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College, Bhiwani, and the Dean of Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonipat.
In addition, two members each have been nominated from ten allied healthcare disciplines, including Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences, Trauma, Burn Care and Surgical/Anesthesia Technology, Physiotherapy, Nutrition Science, Ophthalmic Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Community Care and Behavioural Health Sciences, Medical Radiology Imaging and Therapeutics, Medical Equipment Technology, and Health Information Management and Health Informatics, reports The Tribune.
Under Section 30 of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, the State Council will also oversee uniform entrance examinations, common counselling procedures for diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, and uniform exit or licensing examinations for allied healthcare professionals.
The council will further be responsible for inspecting and registering allied healthcare institutions, prescribing minimum standards for infrastructure, equipment, materials, and services, and taking regulatory action, including penalties, against institutions found violating the prescribed norms.
