Draft registration norms proposed for health workers

Why in the News

Provisionally registered allied and healthcare professionals are set to get a defined route to regular registration, through bridge courses, supervised clinical training and qualifying examinations. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Union Ministry of Health, has proposed draft regulations under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. The draft seeks one standardised registration system for the professions that work alongside doctors and nurses.

What is the NCAHP, and what is provisional registration?

1. What it is: The NCAHP is the national regulator for allied and healthcare professions under the 2021 Act. It works like the National Medical Commission does for doctors.
2. Professions covered: The NCAHP’s broad categories of professions include:
   • clinical laboratories, medical imaging and health informatics;
   • surgical and emergency technology, and physician associates;
   • physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition and ophthalmology;
   • community and behavioural health.
3. Registration: Registration is the official record that a person is qualified to practise a profession. Provisional registration is an interim entry for a practitioner who has not yet met every requirement of regular registration.
4. The takeaway: A single register tells patients and employers who is qualified, so the route into it decides who can practise.

What do the draft regulations propose?

1. Standardised provisional registration: The draft sets up one standardised mechanism for provisional registration, in accordance with the NCAHP Act.
2. Integrated online system: Professionals will submit applications online, and the system will verify their credentials.
3. Eligibility and certificates: The online system will also assess whether an applicant is eligible and issue provisional registration certificates.
4. Stated aims: The framework aims at uniformity, transparency and accountability in professional registration.
5. Public consultation: The NCAHP has invited comments from the public and stakeholders on the draft.

How can a provisionally registered professional move to regular registration?

1. Aims of the pathways: The framework provides pathways for skill upgradation, competency assessment (a check that a professional can do the work) and transition to regular registration.
2. Bridge courses: Eligible provisionally registered professionals can take prescribed bridge courses, which upgrade existing skills to the required standard.
3. Supervised clinical training: The draft provides for clinical training under supervision, so that practical skills are checked in a real care setting.
4. Minimum qualifying examinations: Professionals will take minimum qualifying examinations, wherever applicable, to meet the requirements of regular registration.

Challenges

1. State councils: Registration under the Act depends on State Allied and Healthcare Councils, which several States were slow to set up.
2. Varied qualifications: Practitioners hold diplomas, certificates and on the job training of uneven quality, so one standard is hard to apply.
3. Training capacity: Skill upgradation and supervised clinical training need enough recognised institutions and clinical seats.
4. Credential verification: Online verification is difficult where records are on paper or the training institute has closed.

Way Forward

1. Profession wise criteria: The NCAHP should publish eligibility criteria, course content and timelines separately for each profession.
2. Functional State councils: States should staff their councils and link State registers to the central register.
3. Accredited course providers: The Commission should accredit institutions to run part time bridge courses for working professionals.
4. Applicant support: Help desks and a grievance channel should assist applicants who lack digital records.

Conclusion

The registration framework is at the draft stage, released by the NCAHP for public and stakeholder comments. Comments close on 4 December, and no date for final notification has been announced.

Matching Previous Year Question

“[2015, GS2, 12 marks] For achieving the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous. Discuss in the light of the experiences in recent past.”