Gandhinagar: Health Minister Rushikesh Patel introduced the Gujarat State Physiotherapy Council (Repeal) Bill in the House during the sixth session of the 15th Legislative Assembly. After discussion, the bill was unanimously passed in the House.

Presenting the details of the bill, Patel stated that the Gujarat State Physiotherapy Council Act, 2011, had been in force in the state, under which the Gujarat State Council for Physiotherapy was established. Recently, the Government of India formed the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions to regulate and monitor the standards of education and services for allied and healthcare professionals across the country.

Under this Act, a total of 56 allied and paramedical courses have been included and categorized into 10 groups. As per Section 22 of the Act, every state must establish a State Allied and Healthcare Council. In compliance with this provision, the Government of Gujarat established the Gujarat State Allied and Healthcare Council through a notification dated November 26, 2024. The chairman and various members were appointed via a notification on December 20, 2024.

Physiotherapy is one of the 56 allied healthcare courses covered under the central Act. Currently, around 30 of these courses are being offered in Gujarat. Patel stated that the Physiotherapy Council is no longer required, as all its functions will now be managed by the newly formed State Allied and Healthcare Council.

As a result, with the passage of the repeal bill, the Gujarat State Council for Physiotherapy Act, 2011, will be dissolved.

Following the dissolution of the Physiotherapy Council:

• All staff working under it will be absorbed into the Gujarat State Allied and Healthcare Council.
• The council’s funds, resources, manpower, rights, and responsibilities will be transferred to the new Allied and Healthcare Council.

Notably, Gujarat currently has 73 physiotherapy colleges, including five government and 68 self-financed institutions. As of February 17, 2025, a total of 21,668 physiotherapists have been registered with the Physiotherapy Council.

During the discussion of this bill, MLAs Shaileshbhai Parmar, Payalben Kukrani, Darshanaben Deshmukh, Kiritbhai Patel, Mukeshkumar Patel, Umeshbhai Makwana, and Rivaba Jadeja presented their views. DeshGujarat