Para medics association looks forward for new cadre review policy

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK, : The Sikkim Government Para Medical Association (SGPMA), in collaboration with the Sikkim State Allied and Healthcare Professional Council (SSA&HCPC), announced that following the enactment of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, the official designation for para medical workers will now be “Allied and Healthcare Professionals.”

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, SGPMA president Kishore Thapa stated that the para medical cadre in Sikkim was established in 1998 and has not undergone any review in the past 25-26 years.

Despite playing a crucial yet often overlooked role in public health and patient care, it feels unjust when no promotion or pay scale revisions take place, he said.

However, under the guidance of Health minister G.T. Dhungel, a forum was formed to draft a new cadre review policy, which has already been submitted to the departments of Personnel and Finance, said the SGPMA president. We are hopeful that the State government will approve this policy soon, recognizing the tireless contributions of para medical workers to public healthcare, he expressed.

He further noted that the association continues to pursue a revision of the para medical pay matrix, which remains an unresolved concern.

Thapa also informed that July 8 is celebrated as International Para Medical Day, with various activities held across districts and hospitals to mark the occasion. The State-level celebration will take place on July 19, and it will be the final celebration held under the banner of SGPMA, as the State transitions to a new regulatory structure under the national act. We hope the upcoming celebration brings positive news for all para medics in the State through the long-awaited cadre review, he added.

Dr.Bimal Nepal, representing the SSA&HCPC, stated that while the council had already been constituted, approval of its operating rules by the State cabinet was received only recently. He expressed gratitude to the Health minister and secretary for facilitating this milestone.

Dr. Nepal pointed out that until now para medical professionals in India have operated without a unified system of national or State-level registration. With the 2021 Act now in place, a National Commission and corresponding State Councils will be responsible for registering qualified professionals and accredited institutes offering allied and healthcare courses.

All institutions providing allied and healthcare education must now register through the National Commission's website, he said, appealing for compliance ahead of full implementation.

Once fully established, the State Council will have the authority to curb unethical practices by unregistered practitioners and enforce disciplinary action as per the defined rules.

The two organisations expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister PS Golay for the formation of the State Council for the welfare of the State para medics.

Regarding individual registrations, Dr. Nepal said the State process will commence once the national commission releases detailed guidelines. Registration is crucial as it will allow para medics to practice not just in India but globally, an opportunity that has not existed until now, he noted.

The commission has also approved updated curricula for 10 para medical subjects, to be adopted by the academic year 2025–26. Full compliance will be mandatory by the 2026–27 session.

The press conference was attended by executive members of the SGPMA and SSA&HCPC.