AIIMS physiotherapy dept to get a robotic boost

Physiotherapists at AIIMS may soon be providing robot-assisted physical therapy to patients.

The physiotherapy department of the institute is soon going to procure this new technology for the early rehabilitation of patients. This announcement was made on Sunday on the concluding day of the seventh International Conference of Physical Therapy AIIMS 2018.

Attended by more than 600 delegates from different parts of India and abroad, the two-day conference was inaugurated by Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Saturday.

The participating dignitaries said the role of physiotherapists would be well defined under Ayushman Bharat as it is an integral part of the government's wellness programme.

Choubey said the government will soon pass the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 and appealed the opposition to support it as the act would benefit lakhs of Indians.

Nirmal Kumar, organising secretary, said, "With India's ever-growing aging population, it is inevitable for the physiotherapists to keep themselves abreast of latest trends and innovation while working with healthcare professionals and patients to provide best treatment for early rehabilitation."
Dr Sanjiv K Jha, president of Indian Association of Physiotherapists, said, "The bill when it comes in force will regularise the system of registration, recognition, standard, quality of education in physiotherapy and will be able to check the unprofessional practice/quackery in physiotherapy by untrained professional."