Chandigarh, July 23: The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has submitted a formal memorandum to the director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), demanding the establishment of a separate college or school of physiotherapy within the institute. The move comes amid ongoing protests by the PGIMER Physiotherapists Association, which has accused the institute of flouting the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021.
The IAP, in its communication, also raised concerns about the lack of academic and administrative autonomy for the physiotherapy profession within PGIMER. The letter, aligned with longstanding demands of PGIMER’s own physiotherapists, pointed to the absence of an independent department, non-creation of faculty positions, and the merging of physiotherapy with the Department of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine since 2008.
“PGIMER is running a 4.5-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course with 75 seats, but those teaching the course have no designated teaching posts,” said a senior member of the Physiotherapists Association. “We have been on protest since June 11, wearing black badges and halting all teaching duties in protest.”
As a result, BPT students have been left without clinical training for over 40 days. “Our clinical exposure has completely stopped,” said one of the students. “There’s no clarity on when our training will resume.”
The IAP’s letter underlined that, in violation of the NCAHP Act, 2021, PGIMER has yet to establish a separate college or school of physiotherapy—an institutional structure deemed essential for maintaining academic integrity and professional standards. Among its key demands, the association has called for the establishment of a standalone faculty or college of physiotherapy with an independent head, teaching cadre as per UGC 2010 guidelines, administrative control, and representation in PGIMER’s policy and development committees.
The letter has been marked to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, the chairman of the NCAHP, and the dean and administration of PGIMER.
While the Standing Academic Committee had approved eight teaching posts for physiotherapists in 2023, the proposal was stalled in the Standing Finance Committee, the association said. “Despite a formal approval, the delay reflects a lack of institutional will,” said a physiotherapist at PGIMER.
The physiotherapists have warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, they may escalate their protest.
