JOINT FORUM OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS OF INDIA (National Registered organisation of Allied Health Professionals Associations) Discussion Paper (For its members associations and others aware citizens on constitution of Health Sector Skill Council (HSSC) by the Indian Corporate group & Government of India under PPP Model) 19th August, 2013 Dear JFMTI members and all right minded citizens of India, The Public Health sector is facing now its most serious challenges from the market forces. The government has not only given in, but it is also an accomplice in the robbing the public health sector. Recently, the CII with Government of India have set up Health Sector Skill Council in Public Private Partnership (PPP). Also, The Union Health Minster Shri Ghulam Nabi released on 14 August 2013, a series of National Occupational Standards for Allied Health Professionals/ Paramedics, in a Health Summit organized by CII, the top most organization of the businessmen’s. In the light of these developments, Joint Forum of Medical Technologists of India- JFMTI, an umbrella organisation of health professionals’ associations appeals to you to seriously ponder over the need to introduce PPP model in the Health sector for skill development. We have been demanding a government body to look into setting up of standards rather than agencies with corporate backing. Many of the services of which standards have already been released by HSSC, do not find mention in government jobs—emergency medical technician, for example. It seems that the standards have been lifted from those of other countries, instead of tailoring them to the healthcare needs in India. Also, the government is not keen to bring a legislation to regulate and standardize the skill development programmes. Without a legal mechanism the standards do not hold ground. Why would a training institute follow the standards if there is no regulation and fear of legal repercussions? It is pertinent to mention that a report of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), an advocacy group, in December 2012, had recommended establishing a regulatory mechanism by an Act of Parliament for uniform standards across the country, which would have to be mandatorily followed. Other recommendations of PHFI report have also not been considered while preparing the standards, (Please visit link of a reputed Magazine of environment and health to see the detail story downtoearth.org.in/content/standards-set-paramedics). JFMTI has always appreciated every constitutional move of Central Government regarding standardization of health Professionals’ education and services, particularly for Allied health workforce, and always we would like to support the move of standardization of these services by central statutory mechanism in line with other existing councils of health Professionals but we firmly oppose the privatization of healthcare skill development as proposed. The government move is biased in favour of the big healthcare industry, private hospitals and interested groups. The undemocratic move opens the floodgates for profiteers who are eager to control the health sector. So we have following apprehensions and reservations- 1. Why this sudden move of corporate sector in health for standardization of allied health workforce and paramedics while the health ministry has, in principle, decided to constitute a Central Statutory Council viz two Central Bills i.e The Paramedical Council Bill 2007 and NCHRH Bill? In reference to the recent report of Health Ministry undertaken by PHFI an advocacy group of ministry “Paramedics to Allied Health Professional landscaping the journey and way forward” Ministry of Health is planning to constitute a National Board for Allied Health Sciences (NBASH) as an interim measure till Central Council is constituted by an Act of the Parliament. 2. Why such dual standards for health professionals one which would be managed by existing statutory council councils while other remaining streams will be controlled by the HSSC under PPP model? 3. Why such self styled, undemocratic regulatory mechanism without any provision for representation of allied health workforce, faculties, professionals which are targeted for streamlining? 4. Why is this noble profession of health care education and services being entrusted to private companies for making profit rather than establishing a central regulatory system under government? 5. Why is Government shifting their responsibilities of providing cost effective health care and leaving Health sector for private companies for making profit? 6. How can a private person or company, without any expertise and experience of services, decide its own standards without assessing the ground realities of health care and emerging challenges? 7. Why such duplication of professional/occupational standards- one which has already been released and other to be prepared by the NBASH? 8. Why is Government not serious for this issue as two bills have already lapsed? 9. If HSSC is constituted for this purpose, what will the existing councils do in future? 10. Why is this move only for allied health and Paramedics and why not for Medicos governed by the MCI under IMC Act? 11. Why there is no coordination of Government with union health ministry which has recently initiated the process for constituting a National Board for Allied Health Sciences for the similar aims and objectives. 12. Why there is dilution of well established cadre of allied health professionals with semi skilled industrial workforce and unskilled unorganized workforce which is to be trained under proposed skill development plan of Government. 13. Why Government has failed to provide its own central regulatory system even after 6 decades of freedom. 14. Why recently a special report was undertaken by ministry of health & FW for allied health education and services if HSSC is doing the same task 15. What task will be of Central and State Health departments if all responsibilities of health care even health management is entrusted to corporate players. 16. And there may be many more reason to think seriously ………………………… I would, therefore, like to start a thoughtful discussion among health leaders, faculties, Health Professionals, media persons to arrive on a balanced and correct decision for future course of action of JFMTI. In this context I appeal to you all to reflect on the questions posed above and analyze the issue in a manner that may help JFMTI formulate its course of action in the new term 2013-2015. With warm regards. Sincerely yours, Dr. Pankaj Kaul President Kaptan Singh Sehrawat General Secretary 9968256365 References:- Please see the following documents for a clearer understanding of the issues involved: What is National Skill Development Policy-2009? labour.nic.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Policies/NationalSkillDevelopmentPolicyMar09.pdf What is NSDC? egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2013/E_8_2013_334.pdf pmindia.gov.in/committeescouncils_details.php?nodeid=8 (NSDC has been incorporated as a not-for-profit organization under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 by the Ministry of Finance. It has been formed as 51:49 shareholdings of private and government. Besides Ministry of Finance, all prominent industry bodies have contributed to the initial capital of this venture. pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=53307). (The National Skill Development Policy 2009 mandates that NSDC would constitute Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) with following functions: • Setting up LMIS (Labor Market Information System) to assist planning and delivery of training • Identification of skill development needs and preparing a catalogue of skill types • Develop a sector skill development plan and maintain skill inventory • Developing skill competency standards and qualifications • Standardization of affiliation and accreditation process • Participation in affiliation, accreditation, standardization • Plan and execute training of trainers • Promotion of academies of excellence • Promotion of academies of excellence) What is HSSC? The health care industry talks about challenges in healthcare, it also sees opportunities. The healthcare sector is expected to grow from the US$60billion at present level to US$100 billion in only the next two years. The Healthcare Sector Skill Council is an initiative of the Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) and, the leading Healthcare Industry Members representing both public and private sector, with financial support from National Skills Development Corporation, to play a proactive role in quality education and skill development in allied healthcare sector in the country. It is supposedly a Not-for-Profit Organization, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Role of the HSSC (as per available information) a) National Occupational Standards b) Assessment & Accreditation of Training Institutes c) Academy of Excellence In order to implement the above cited objectives, HSSC prepared the standards for 26 health professionals and already released the Occupational Standards of following health categories- Already released by Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad on 14th August 2013 during CII Health Summit Qualifications Pack - Cardiac Care Technician Qualifications Pack - Radiology Technician Qualifications Pack - Medical Laboratory Technician Qualifications Pack - Histotechnician Qualifications Pack - Phlebotomy Technician Qualifications Pack - Emergency Medical Technician – Basic Qualifications Pack - Anaesthesia Technician Qualifications Pack - Blood Bank Technician Qualifications Pack - Vision Technician Qualifications Pack - Refractionist Qualifications Pack - General Duty Assistant Qualifications Pack - Diabetes Educator Qualifications Pack - Dialysis Technician Qualifications Pack - Operating Theatre Technician Qualifications Pack - Emergency Medical Technician – Advanced Draft Standard of health categories to be released shortly Healthcare – Draft Standards Qualifications Pack - Optometrist Qualifications Pack - Dental Hygienist Qualifications Pack - Dental Assistant Qualifications Pack - Dietician Assistant Qualifications Pack - Dental Laboratory Technician Qualifications Pack - Basic Health Volunteer (Equivalent to ASHA) Qualifications Pack - Mental Health Counsellor Qualifications Pack - Medical Records and Health Information Technician Qualifications Pack - Speech Language Pathologist & Audiologist Qualifications Pack - Medical Equipment Technician Qualifications Pack - Junior Physiotherapist For detail please visit healthcare-ssc.in/about.aspx Standards set for paramedics downtoearth.org.in Allied health services bodies say National Occupational Standards for Allied Health and Paramedics influenced by corporate sector
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:58:49 +0000
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