Karnataka launches State Council for allied and healthcare professions

The Karnataka government is set to officially inaugurate the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council (KSAHC), becoming one of the first states in the country to implement the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021 in full.

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The council has been established to regulate and streamline allied and healthcare professions, similar to the roles played by the medical, dental, and nursing councils. Under the provisions of the NCAHP Act, individuals who complete diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate courses in allied and healthcare fields must register with the council to be eligible to practice in India or overseas.

KSAHC will facilitate the registration of professionals and ensure the verification of academic credentials. It will also assign a unique identity number to each registered practitioner. In addition to managing professional registrations, the council will regulate the operations of both existing and upcoming allied and healthcare institutions in the state.

The council’s purview includes a broad range of professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hospital administration, nutrition science, medical imaging technology, and medical laboratory technology.

The KSAHC will operate from its headquarters located at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute campus. Prof. U T Ifthikar Fareed, who currently serves as principal of Dr MV Shetty College of Physiotherapy, has been appointed as the council’s first chairman.

This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing the quality and accountability of allied and healthcare services in Karnataka.