Centre forms National Allied and Healthcare Advisory Council
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has officially notified the constitution of the National Allied and Healthcare Advisory Council (NAHAC). This newly formed council will serve as an advisory panel to the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) on all matters related to allied and healthcare professionals.
The notification, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, designates the Chairperson of NCAHP as the Chairperson of NAHAC, with all members of the Commission serving as ex officio members of the Council. Additional members will include the Principal Secretary from each state responsible for medical education or their nominee, the Chairperson of each State Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, and the Principal Secretary of each Union Territory overseeing medical education or their nominee.
The constitution of NAHAC fulfills a key mandate outlined under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, which was passed by Parliament and received presidential assent on March 28, 2021. As per Schedule 12 of the Act, the Central Government shall constitute an Advisory Council to be known as the National Allied and Healthcare Advisory Council to advise the Commission on the issues relating to allied and healthcare professionals.
According to the notification, NAHAC will convene once a year in New Delhi, with the timing and agenda determined by the Chairperson.
According to the news reports, in April 2025, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), announced the launch of new competency-based curricula for ten allied and healthcare professions. These include Physiotherapy, Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health; Optometry; Nutrition and Dietetics; Dialysis Therapy Technology and Dialysis Therapy; Radiotherapy Technology; Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology; Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology; Health Information Management; and Physician Associates.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), launched competency-based curricula for ten allied and healthcare professions.
According to Pharmabiz, "This strategic initiative is aimed at ensuring uniformity and excellence in the education and training of allied and healthcare professionals across the country, thereby strengthening the healthcare delivery system in accordance with the emerging needs of the nation," said the Ministry during the time.
Dr Yagna Unmesh Shukla, chairperson NCAHP, stated that “These curricula will ensure uniformity and an important step in the direction of actualizing the vision of ‘One Nation, One Curriculum’, reports Pharmabiz.
The newly developed curricula are designed to produce globally competent allied and healthcare professionals, equipped to address the growing burden of disease and the rising demand for allied health services. The Ministry underscored that the reformed educational programs are structured to meet both national and global healthcare demands.
