Lok Sabha clears healthcare professionals Bill, minister says will give due dignity to allied health workers

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Bill was passed unanimously by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The Bill has passed by Rajya Sabha last week.

Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “The biggest backbone of our healthcare delivery system are our allied workers. The question of giving the allied worker dignity has now been addressed through the Bill and it has been long overdue. During Covid times, they had a huge contribution, but while people spoke of the work done by doctors and nurses, sanitation workers and security personnel – not many spoke of the allied workers.”

He said, “Whether it testing or CT Scans, respiratory assessments, neuroscience technologists, social workers or palliative care workers – this Bill brings a paradigm shift and change in health care delivery system with the registration of all these workers.”