In a bid to overcome acute shortage of skilled paramedical professionals in the state, Haryana Government has chalked out a policy to introduce paramedical degree courses in government and private medical colleges.
The policy has been developed keeping in view the ever emerging need of paramedical care in the medical field especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the fierce second wave of COVID-19, Haryana also witnessed shortage of paramedical professionals, who assist the doctors in treatment and care of patients.
The policy has been prepared to start paramedical courses including B.Sc Radiotherapy Technology, B.Sc Radiography & Imaging Technology, B.Sc Bachelor of Optometry, B.Sc Perfusion Technology, B.Sc Operation Theatre and B.Sc Medical Laboratory Technology in medical colleges of the state.
At present, PGIMS Rohtak is the only government medical institution that offers all these six paramedical courses while government-aided Maharaja Agrasen Medical College in Hisar offers four paramedical courses.
“Only those Trust/Societies will be eligible to apply for paramedical courses who have a minimum 300 bedded own/parent hospital and having outdoor, indoor facility and emergency services. Further, the hospital should already have a functional Department as per the specific paramedical course applied,” as per the draft policy prepared by Department of Medical Education and Research, Haryana.
Dr Shaleen, Director Medical Education and Research, Haryana while talking to The Pioneer said, “The policy aims at providing quality paramedical education in Haryana and producing skilled paramedical professionals every year. There are 12 medical colleges in Haryana. But only around 60 students become trained paramedical professionals annually in the state as PGIMS Rohtak is offering six paramedical courses while Agrasen Medical College is offering four such courses.”
“There is a shortage of trained paramedical staff and to overcome it, the policy to introduce six paramedical courses in medical colleges has been prepared by the Department. With this, we hope to rope in more government and private medical institutions to start these courses and produce skilled paramedics,” he said.
Dr Shaleen further said that suggestions from the stakeholders have been invited to finalize this policy.
According to the draft policy, “No paramedical school will be allowed to commence the course or seek admissions without obtaining affiliation from University as the case may be or any other Regulatory Body authorized by the State Government/Central Government. The maximum number of seats in one course shall not exceed 10. Also, no institute will be entitled to apply for enhancement of seats till the first batch of the respective course passes out.”
The policy stated, “Preference shall be given to start paramedical courses in already established or functional medical colleges with an aim to develop an integrated campus wherein facilities like library, classrooms, auditoriums etc. can be shared. A separate teaching block will be a prerequisite where the applicant institute is a 300 bedded or above hospital and does not have any teaching block. Adequate area for the hostel should also be available as per norms.”
As per the land norms under the policy, 0.5 acres land for starting two paramedical courses and one acre land for more than two such courses would be mandatory for the institute. Also, the land should not be more than 10 km to 15 km from the functional hospital.
“The admission of students shall be made as per the rules or procedure prescribed by the State Government from time to time. Tuition fees and other charges admissible for paramedical courses shall be notified by the State Government from time to time for those institutions affiliated with UHS, Rohtak,” the draft policy stated.
Policy for establishment of physiotherapy courses also formulated
With an aim to give boost to physiotherapy services, the State Government has also formulated its first policy to begin Bachelor, Masters and Ph.D Physiotherapy courses in Haryana.
Dr Shaleen said that the State Government has constituted a Council for Physiotherapy. There are more than 20 institutions of physiotherapy in the state. To give a boost to the discipline of physiotherapy in Haryana, a policy has been framed to introduce new courses, he added.