Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

The Indian healthcare system relies heavily on doctors and nurses, but its major role in medical care delivery comes from allied health professionals. These significant healthcare professionals receive minimal acknowledgement from society because they receive little attention during mainstream discussions about healthcare.

AHPs perform various healthcare functions as laboratory technicians, radiographers, physiotherapists, optometrists, and emergency medical technicians. These medical staff members support diagnosis and rehabilitation work and therapeutic service delivery to maintain healthcare operations. Research shows that India’s healthcare workforce consists mainly of AHPs who make up about 60% of all medical professionals, yet their potential remains underdeveloped because they lack proper official authorization and clear professional development paths.

India’s Growing Demand for AHPs

India requires an additional 6.4 million healthcare professionals, surpassing global healthcare standards because the country currently lacks more than 64 lakh practitioners. According to World Health Organization guidelines, 10,000 people should have at least 44.5 skilled health workers available for them. The government needs to rapidly develop training initiatives for AHPs because the country currently fails to meet WHO’s recommended healthcare personnel thresholds.

Respiratory therapists and medical lab technicians are some healthcare professionals who had essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were managing patients while providing vital testing services. Although AHPs perform necessary tasks, they are compelled to spend their time in obscurity because they lack appropriate career development options and receive insufficient financial benefits. 

Policy Interventions and Reforms

The Indian government approved the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act as a means to support AHPs in 2021. The landmark NCAHP Act delivers important regulations which establish standardized practices for teaching and practicing allied health professions across India. Through the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act this central body will take charge of licensing procedures and curriculum management alongside establishing professional standards to properly honor AHPs.

The political establishment has shown patience during the installation of this Act's provisions yet the healthcare sector requires comprehensive policy implementation along with intensified educational initiatives to demonstrate the vital importance of AHPs in medical treatment systems.

Bridging The Gap Between 

India needs to develop healthcare education and skilling programs as an essential move to solve the shortage of AHPs. Public-private partnerships hold key importance for facility expansion while digital learning tools enable remote training of professionals.

AHP training programs now exist at both All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and several private universities across the country. The accessibility and affordability of educational programs for these courses should receive additional attention because they remain out of reach for numerous rural students.

To reach universal healthcare coverage India requires implementation of AHPs within its basic healthcare system. These professionals need enhanced funding alongside specific career pathways as well as public education about their work to gain professional power.

All healthcare facilities depend heavily on AHPs who create the essential structure that supports the medical system alongside nurses and doctors. Healthcare has reached a point where it needs to recognize the services of AHPs and provide them with the appropriate training, together with career advancement opportunities, and respect they deserve. India requires a strong healthcare system that defends against population needs through sustained efforts.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) that organizes the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) will organize the 2025 examination on June 15. The NEET PG 2025 will be conducted in two shifts as it was conducted last year. The information bulletin with the eligibility, test pattern, NEET PG marking scheme is however yet to be published. The natboard.edu.in will carry the NEET PG 2025 information bulletin.

Earlier, in December of last year, the NBEMS had issued the date of completion of internship to be eligible to appear in NEET PG. The date of completion of internship for eligibility to appear in NEET PG 2025 is July 31, 2025.

Approximately two lakh MBBS graduates appear for NEET PG annually for approximately 52,000 postgraduation seats across India.

This time last year, NEET PG was conducted in two shifts, rather than a single shift. The exam took place on August 11 in two shifts — first from 9 am to 12:30 pm and the second one from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.

The board explained that the examinees were given disparate shifts randomly to ensure that every group was roughly equal in size. The random allocation ensured that any possible bias in allotting the candidates was averted. Moreover, since there were hundreds of examinees distributed all over the country, chances of bias were slim, the board added.

Since the new system was in place, the Board needed to embrace a process of normalisation.

The NEET PG results previous year for all shifts were written in the raw scores and percents.

Up to seven digits of percentiles for the composite score was calculated. The mechanism followed for breaking ties (near percentiles) will be decided on the age factor — candidate of older age was placed at higher rank.

Also, the percentile rank of the overall marks of all the shifts was combined and sorted to come to an overall Merit List / Ranking. Overall NEET PG merit or ranking was computed based on the percentile rank of the raw score.

The national Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 examination date has been announced, the candidates can find and download NEET PG examination 2025 timetable on the official website- natboard.edu.in. NEET PG 2025 is going to take place in two shifts on June 15. NEET PG 2025 shift one is going to be conducted from 9 am to 12:30 pm and shift two from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.

The deadline for completing the internship for NEET PG candidates has also been extended, the candidates need to complete the internship by July 31 to fulfill the required eligibility criteria for the exam.

Candidates can download the NEET PG date sheet 2025 PDF by following these steps. To download NEET PG date sheet 2025, candidates must go to the official website- natboard.edu.in. Click on the link of NEET PG exam schedule 2025 PDF. NEET PG date sheet 2025 PDF will be displayed on the screen to download. Save the NEET PG exam schedule 2025 PDF and print it.

NEET PG Exam Schedule 2025: How to download at natboard.edu.in

Go to the official website- natboard.edu.in

Click on NEET PG exam schedule 2025 PDF

NEET PG exam date 2025 PDF will be downloadable on the screen

Save NEET PG exam schedule PDF and get a hard copy of it.

How to download NEET PG Admit Card 2025

NEET PG admit card 2025 will be downloadable on the official website- natboard.edu.in by June 11. 

To download NEET PG hall ticket 2025, follow the below steps-

Click on NEET PG admit card 2025 PDF link at natboard.edu.in

Enter the login details- application number, date of birth

NEET PG hall ticket 2025 PDF will be displayed on the screen

Save NEET PG admit card 2025 PDF and print a hard copy from it.

NEET PG hall ticket 2025 will include the candidate's name, roll number, date of birth, examination date, centre address of exam, shift timing, shift-wise papers, and additional details.

To check the NEET PG exam 2025 details, refer to the official website- natboard.edu.in.

St. Paul's School confirmed that it had received an email from the parents of the first diagnosed child regarding viral meningitis. The child was at school on 7 March, vomited, and was hospitalized. Other students who were affected were in close proximity.

A school in Kalamassery, Kochi, has been shut down temporarily following the appearance of symptoms of viral meningitis in five students. The children, all belonging to Classes 1 and 2 of St. Paul's International School, showed symptoms like fever, irritability, headache, and vomiting.

Two students were admitted into the intensive care unit of Aster Medcity Hospital. One was later shifted to a general ward, and the other will soon be shifted too.

As a precautionary move, the school will continue to be closed till March 16. Health officials have also advised delaying exams for Classes 1 and 2.

The samples of the infected students have been forwarded to the National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha for verification. Authorities have ensured that all the children are stable. More information is pending as investigations are ongoing.

School officials confirm one case of viral meningitis

The authorities at St. Paul's School told South First, that they had an email from the parents of the first diagnosed child, which confirmed viral meningitis, yesterday before the day before yesterday.

"The child went to school on March 7 but was vomiting through the day. We immediately notified the parents and got her to the hospital. It took 48 hours to confirm the diagnosis.".

The rest of the students who presented symptoms were close to the initial child, usually sharing food and snacks. We are now complying with the health authorities directive in handling the situation," the school said.

Dr. Asha Devi, DMO, Ernakulam, explained to, South First, that there is no cause for panic. Although the viruses responsible for viral meningitis are infectious, the closure of the school is a precautionary action.

Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, loss of appetite, rash-like spots, loss of balance, and inability to concentrate.

Children are more susceptible than adults.

Emphasizing women's critical role in all walks of life, she asked them to pay importance to their health and well-being. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday stated the healthcare system in the city must be improved and education for women must be given importance as both are essential for constructing a progressive and liberal society.

Addressing an Equality Walkathon hosted by Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh on International Women's Day, she reaffirmed the government's pledge to the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, reiterating that education and healthcare were the way forward for empowering women and driving overall growth of society.

"Delhi needs to be the most advanced health center in the nation. All citizens must receive easy medical facilities, and nobody must be denied the right treatment," she said. Emphasizing women's crucial roles in all walks of life, she encouraged them to take care of their health and well-being. "Let us together create a future where gender equality is not only an aspiration but a way of life," she added.

The walkathon, in which approximately 400 individuals participated, was to raise awareness about gender equality and equal opportunities for women. The event, with the theme 'Accelerate Action for Gender Equality', included banners and placards supporting women's rights.

A 'Women's Empowerment Programme' was also organized, with a panel discussion between doctors on women's health issues, equality at the workplace, and inclusive growth. Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, chief executive officer and managing director, Fortis Healthcare, underlined the importance of the role of women in healthcare, stressing that there is a need for inclusive and equitable workplace.

"Women bring skills, compassion and creativity to the delivery of patient care. However, they still face special health issues and system obstacles at work," he added

A Centre of Excellence has been set up at AIIMS in the Department of Paediatrics, jointly with the National Health Mission-Madhya Pradesh (NHM-MP) and UNICEF, to tackle severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

The centre will offer advanced medical care for SAM cases, especially for non-responsive and severely ill children. Severe cases are being managed at AIIMS Bhopal's Severe Malnutrition Advanced Referral and Treatment (SMART) Unit.

The Centre of Excellence is committed to offer high-level technical assistance, encourage research and organize training programmes on SAM management.

With advanced infrastructure and professionals, the aim is to deliver quality care to sick children, educate healthcare professionals and assist the government's malnutrition eradication drive.

For this purpose, the state government organized a two-day divisional-level residential F- SAM training program for Feeding Demonstrators and ANMs/Staff Nurses engaged in Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs). The training aimed at strengthening the treatment and management of severely malnourished children.

A successful trial run of Metro was held for the first time between Rani Kamlapati and AIIMS station at 5 pm on Tuesday. During its journey, Metro rakes crossed Railway Over Bridge (RoB), DRM Office and Alkapuri station before reaching AIIMS station.

During the trial, metro rakes operated at 10 to 20 km an hour. This will be increased gradually as per the different testing stages. The train has three coaches, each measuring around 22 meters in length and 20.9 meters in breadth.

The train has been built for a top speed of 90 km/ph. S Krishna Chaitanya, MD, MP Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) congratulated metro officials on the successful trial run.