Physiotherapists in Kerala seek faster registration process to curb unauthorised practices

Physiotherapists in Kerala have flagged a disturbing trend of unauthorised persons entering their profession in the past two years. They claim that such people are bringing their job into disrepute by hiking the treatment costs and often being involved in sexual violence cases.

According to functionaries of the Kerala Physiotherapists’ Coordination (KAPC), those who reportedly practice alternative medicine or “traditional medicine” such as hijama, acupuncture, and chiropractic (diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders) are also found to have been engaged in physiotherapy sessions as well after purchasing a couple of equipment for the purpose. P.S. Sreejith, president of the organisation, says that the main reason for such a situation is the delay in starting the registration process for physiotherapy professionals under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, in the State.  The Act was brought in to ensure the regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals. It also aims to assess the performance of institutions, maintain a Central Register and State Register, create a system to improve access, research and development, and adopt the latest scientific advancement.  

The KAPC functionaries point out that though a State-level commission was set up some time ago, its activities are going at a slow pace. Meanwhile, with some of the unauthorised practitioners getting involved in criminal cases, the profession is getting a bad press too. Mr. Sreejith says that only those who clear the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course are authorised to start the practice under the 2021 Act. One native of Idukki, who identified himself as a physiotherapist, was found to have been involved in a sexual violence case registered at the Nadakkavu police station in Kozhikode recently. Mr. Sreejith claims that the accused did not have any qualifications to work as a physiotherapist. He only had a diploma in chiropractic, that too is reported to be fake.

In a complaint filed with the District Police Chief (Kozhikode City), the KAPC has sought an investigation into the professional identity of the Idukki native and initiation of legal action for impersonation and misrepresentation.