'Paramedical' Term Dropped: Govt Mandates Use Of 'Allied And Healthcare' Across India
The central government has formally directed all states, union territories, and relevant educational institutions to discontinue the use of the term 'Paramedical" and instead adopt 'Allied and Healthcare" in all official communications, policies, advertisements, and academic references, News18 has learnt.
The move comes in line with the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, which was enacted to standardise and regulate this wide-ranging group of health professionals under a unified framework. In fact, the order, dated July 1, has been issued by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
'The term 'Paramedical' has long been used to describe various healthcare-related professions that provide support services in healthcare delivery. However, with the enactment of the NCAHP Act, 2021, the term 'Allied and Healthcare' has been formally adopted," said the circular seen by News18.
'In this regard, the use of the term 'Paramedical' is advised to be avoided and replaced with 'Allied and Healthcare' in all training programmes, recruitment notifications, advertisements, educational materials, and all forms of communication – both verbal and written," the circular said.
Sent to chief secretaries, principal secretaries and health secretaries of all states and union territories, the order states that the move has been taken to ensure uniformity in terminology and alignment with the Act.
The commission has recommended immediate compliance by all state governments, UT administrations, and institutions. This includes changing terminology in training programmes, recruitment notifications, educational materials, advertisements, and all forms of communication — both verbal and written.
'Therefore, all state governments/UT administrations and institutions are requested to ensure compliance with this nomenclature change and disseminate the information to all concerned authorities, institutions, and stakeholders under their jurisdiction," the order said.
New term not ambiguous, aligns with global nomenclature
'If you go by the exact meaning of paramedical, traditionally it is used to describe roles that support doctors such as lab technicians but it's not a legally defined category and can be ambiguous," a senior government official, who was part of the meetings and discussions to change the nomenclature explained while requesting anonymity.
'When we say allied it means a group of professionals who are 'associated alongside" medicine covering disciplines like physiotherapy, radiography, occupational therapy, etc" he said while adding that 'Putting 'Allied and Healthcare' together creates a clearly defined, legally backed umbrella for all non-medical-doctor roles in the health sector.
Meanwhile, health departments of all states and UTs have been directed to disseminate this instruction to all concerned authorities, institutions, and stakeholders under their jurisdiction without delay.
The change marks, according to the government official quoted above, a 'significant administrative and educational shift, particularly for thousands of students enrolled in what have traditionally been referred to as paramedical courses, as well as for faculty, health institutions, and public communication channels" who will now be known by a better-recognised, standardised nomenclature under the 'Allied and Healthcare" category.
'This shift aligns them with global terminology, potentially improving career mobility and academic parity."
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