PGIMS Rohtak Director Dr S K Singhal appointed chairperson of State Allied and Healthcare Council

Chandigarh: Dr Suresh Kumar Singhal, Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) Rohtak, has been appointed as the chairperson of the newly constituted Haryana State Allied and Healthcare Council (HSAHC) by the State government.

The newly constituted council will regulate allied and healthcare professions across the state by enforcing professional conduct, ethical standards, and guidelines for practice. The council will also have the authority to take disciplinary action against professionals, including removing their names from the State Register for violations.

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Speaking to City Air News after his appointment, Dr. S.K. Singhal said allied and healthcare professionals form the backbone of any healthcare system. Various specialists—including physiotherapists, operation theatre technologists, radiographers, lab professionals, optometrists, dialysis technicians, and emergency and critical care staff—who work alongside doctors play a crucial role in patient treatment. The Council's priority will be to ensure organised recognition, quality training, and better opportunities for such trained human resources.

Dr Singhal said the Council’s priority would be to ensure organised recognition, quality training, and better career opportunities for allied healthcare professionals. He added that efforts would be made to position Haryana among the leading states in allied and healthcare education, training, and quality standards through modern, skill-based, and employment-oriented programmes.

He further stated that the Council would promote training, capacity building, research, and innovation through coordination with educational institutions, hospitals, and experts. The use of modern technologies, simulation-based training, and continuous professional development would also be encouraged.

The council will oversee the maintenance of minimum standards in allied and healthcare education, covering courses, curricula, infrastructure, instructional facilities, faculty strength and qualifications, quality of teaching, examinations, training, research, and continuing professional education programmes.

The council has been constituted on an ad hoc basis under Section 22 of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. Its tenure will continue until a permanent State Council is established.

According to a notification issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education & Research Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, on July 27, council members will not receive any additional financial benefits or remuneration. The membership of any nominated member will be terminated if they fail to attend three consecutive meetings of the council.

A total of 24 members, including the chairperson, have been nominated to the council. The Director, Medical Education & Research, or a representative nominated by the department; 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, Sonepat, will serve as ex-officio members.

Two members each from 10 different fields have also been nominated. These fields include Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences; Trauma, Burn Care and Surgical/Anesthesia; Physiotherapy; Nutrition Science; Ophthalmic Sciences; Occupational Therapy; Community Care Behavioural Health Sciences; Medical Radiology Imaging and Therapeutic; 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 ensure uniform entry examinations and common counselling procedures for admission to diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in allied and healthcare institutions. It will ensure a uniform exit or licensing examination for allied and healthcare professionals.

The council will also oversee licensing or exit examinations for professionals, inspect and register allied healthcare institutions, establish minimum standards for equipment, materials, and services, and take action, including imposing penalties, against institutions that fail to comply with prescribed standards.

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