16th State Conference by Indian Association of Physiotherapists

HNExpress Staff Reporter, Kolkata : The 16th State Conference was organized by Indian Association of Physiotherapists, West Bengal. In the inaugural ceremony Chairperson Arup Kanti Saha along with many dignitaries such as , Dr.(Prof.) Sanjiv Kumar Jha, National President (Executive), Dr. K.M. Annamali, Secretary (PT), Dr. Joji John (PT)* M.P.T. (Neuro) Specialist Neuro Physiotherapist, Delhi, Dr. Jayanta Roy* Director & HOD, Department of Neuromedicine, AMRI Hospital. Mukundapur,. Dr. Sayan Gupta* MBBS, MRCP Medical Co — coordinator & ICU in Charge, North City Hospital, Dr. Shabnam Agarwal (PT)* MPT, PhD Group of Institutions Chief, Physiotherapist, Belle Vue Clinic Director (Education), Nopany, Mr. ShibSankar Paul Ex Indian Men’s Cricket Team Player Coach Bengal senior Women’s team ,Mr Joydeep Karmakar ex Olympic Shooter and Organizing secretary Arindam Seth were present.

The discussion was based on the importance of constructing the knowledge of physiotherapeutic science and how would it assist in patient care. The discussion also included there is necessity to establish big data centres for physiotherapeutic science to share resources, improve databases and so on. WHO and Other State Governments (Others State Govt means here Delhi OT & PT council Act; Maharashtra OT & PT Council Act; Punjab Physiotherapy Council Act; Gujarat Physiotherapy Council Act; etc) define Physiotherapy as independent profession.

The speakers recommended the need of Independent Physiotherapy Council like other States for e.g. Maharashtra, Delhi, and Gujarat. The association is not happy with the AM & PM Council Act, 2015, in which the Physiotherapy profession defines imperfectly in compare with National & International status of the physiotherapy but thanked the Government of West Bengal for 200 plus physiotherapists in different Govt. Hospitals.