Context: Recently, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2021 was passed unanimously by the Lok Sabha.
Key Provisions of the Bill

It defines ‘allied health professional’ as an associate, technician, or technologist trained to support the diagnosis and treatment of any illness, disease, injury, or impairment. 

• Such professionals should have obtained a diploma or degree under this Bill, the duration of which should be at least 2,000 hours spread over a period of 2-4 years.

Healthcare professional: A Healthcare professional includes scientist, therapist or another professional who studies, advises, researches, supervises or provides preventive, curative, rehabilitative, therapeutic or promotional health services.

• Such professionals should have obtained a degree under this Act, the duration of which should be at least 3,600 hours spread over a period of 3-6 years.

Allied and healthcare professions:The Bill specifies certain categories of allied and healthcare professions as recognised categories. 

• These are mentioned in the Schedule to the Bill and include life science professionals, trauma and burn care professionals, surgical and anaesthesia related technology professionals, physiotherapists, and nutrition science professionals.
• The central government may amend this Schedule after consultation with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession.

About National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions:  The Bill sets up the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions.

Composition: The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, five members (at the level of Joint Secretary) representing various Departments/ Ministries of the central government, one representative from the Directorate General of Health Services, three Deputy Directors or Medical Superintendents appointed on a rotational basis from amongst medical institutions including the AIIMS, Delhi and AIIPMR, Mumbai, and 12 part-time members representing State Councils, among others.
Functions

• Framing policies and standards for regulating education and practice.
• Creating and maintaining an online Central Register of all registered professionals.
• Providing basic standards of education, courses, curriculum, staff qualifications, examination, training, the maximum fee payable for various categories.
• Providing for a uniform entrance and exit examination, among others.

State Councils: Within six months from the passage of the Bill, state governments will constitute State Allied and Healthcare Councils.

• It will complement the functioning of the National Commission and maintain a State Register.

Establishment of institutions: Prior permission of the State Council will be required to:

• Establish a new institution, or open new courses, increase the admission capacity, or admit a new batch of students to existing institutions. 
• If such permission is not sought, then any qualification granted to a student from such an institution will not be recognised under the Bill.

Offences and penalties: Offences Chapter VII of the Bill deals with offences and penalties.

• No person is allowed to practice as a qualified allied and healthcare practitioner other than those enrolled in a State Register or the National Register. 
• Any person who contravenes this provision will be punished with a fine of Rs 50,000.

Significance

• The legislation will increase employment opportunities for the allied and healthcare professionals and provide dignity to their valuable works.
• This standardisation will also improve the distribution of professionals across the country, especially in rural and peripheral areas.