State to issue registration numbers to paramedical staff, technicians

Bengal is the first state to issue individual registration numbers to the technicians and paramedical staff from this year.

'West Bengal Allied Medical and Paramedical Council' has been set up by the state government which will the issuing authority of the registration to the paramedical staff working at the state owned hospitals and health centers. These paramedical staff and technicians will now have registration numbers like that of the doctors which will help the government to conduct the recruitment process smoother. The main purpose behind the initiative is to check the unauthorised technicians and untrained ones from practicing in government establishments. Unlike doctors and nursing staff, none of these technicians or paramedical staff has any registration number despite obtaining degrees from various institutions as there was no system of individual registration till now. It has been observed in previous years that many candidates have applied for the government job without having a valid certificate.

It may be mentioned that around 1.5 lakh candidates were recruited by the state government in various posts including Lab assistants, technicians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists in 2017. During the recruitment process, it was found that many of these applicants were fake and they did not have any proper documents to establish their degrees. Their candidature was, however, cancelled as they failed to produce valid documents.

According to sources, no other states issue registration numbers to technicians and paramedical staff. As a result, there is always a possibility of nepotism and favouritism in the process of recruitment. Bengal is here to set an example by introducing registration numbers for them which willk not only check irregularities but also fix the accountability of technicians and paramedical staff. These candidates have to upload their documents and certificates on the website of the 'West Bengal Allied Medical and Paramedical Council'. Once their certificates are verified by the competent authorities, the candidates will get a provisional certificate. Even after they get a permanent registration number, the candidates have to undergo the process of revalidation within a stipulated time as recommended by the council.

West Bengal University of Health Sciences conduct Bachelor degree courses on Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, speech therapy, Prosthetic and Obstetric while State Medical Faculty of West Bengal conducts diploma on Laboratory assistant, radiotherapy and also courses for the technical assistants working at the Critical care units. Registration number would be provided both to the diploma holders as well as to those having a Bachelor's degree in various spheres.

Subhendu Moulick, nominated member (occupational therapy) and Kanhaiya Kumar Singh, nominated member (prosthetics) of Strategic Planning & Sector Reform Cell (SPSRC) have welcomed the initiative.