Physiotherapists to march in Guj seeking national council

Around 1,500 physiotherapists from across the country will launch a ten-day 254-km march from Dandi in south Gujarat to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Sunday demanding a national council for the profession, organisers said.

The 'Physio Swaraj March' will trace the route of the historic Dandi March of Gandhiji which began on March 30, 1929, one of the organisers said.

"Around 1,500 physiotherapists from all over the country will take part in the Physio Swaraj March that will reach Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on September 3. The march, which traces the route of the Dandi March, is for our professional independence," said Sarfaraz Shah, a member of the organising committee.

He said the move is to press for the establishment of a statutory council for their profession on the lines of the Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India and Nursing Council of India.

Physiotherapists have also raised concern over issues in the draft Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Third Amendment Rules, 2019, which they fear will end their autonomous practitioner status.

"Neither the NDA nor the UPA government took action on our demands. The formation of a Central Physiotherapy Council will establish proper standard for the profession, practice and education," Shah said.