Why Are Indian Physiotherapists Silent After the Creation of NCAHP?
The physiotherapy profession in India has long been a crucial pillar of healthcare, helping millions recover from injury, illness, and disability. Yet, in recent years, many physiotherapists across the country have found themselves grappling with a fundamental question: What does the future hold for our profession under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021?
And more importantly — why is the community so silent?
A Long-Awaited Reform – But at What Cost?
The NCAHP Act was hailed as a landmark step toward regulating and standardizing the diverse field of allied health professions in India. Physiotherapy, which has struggled for decades without an independent regulatory body, was included among the ten professions governed under this new commission.
But for many physiotherapists, the Act was a double-edged sword.
After years of advocacy for an independent Physiotherapy Council, being grouped under a broader umbrella felt like a step backward — a dilution of identity, autonomy, and professional recognition.
Silence or Suppression?
So why has there been no significant resistance or mobilization? Why the silence?
Here are some reasons worth exploring:
1. Disillusionment and Fatigue
Physiotherapy leaders and associations have fought for decades to gain a separate council — with little progress. The creation of NCAHP has left many feeling let down by the system, leading to quiet resignation rather than vocal protest.
2. Lack of Unified Leadership
The Indian physiotherapy community is fragmented across multiple associations, each with its own voice, structure, and strategy. This lack of unity makes it difficult to present a strong, collective front or organize widespread campaigns.
3. Fear of Repercussions
Those working in government hospitals, universities, or public health institutions may fear professional or political backlash if they publicly question a law passed by Parliament. In a profession with limited job security, staying silent can feel like the safer choice.
4. Confusion and Lack of Awareness
The average physiotherapist — especially in smaller towns — may not even fully understand what the NCAHP Act entails. Without access to clear information and legal literacy, many simply continue with business as usual.
5. Hope for Reform from Within
Some professionals are choosing not to fight the NCAHP but to work within it. They hope to strengthen the physiotherapy division under the commission and push for greater representation, standardization, and scope of practice from inside the system.
What’s the Way Forward?
Silence can be powerful — but only when it is intentional. In this case, silence may be costing the profession its autonomy, visibility, and growth. Now more than ever, the physiotherapy community needs to:
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Unite across associations to form a national, inclusive voice
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Educate practitioners and students on the implications of NCAHP
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Advocate for stronger representation within the commission
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Engage constructively with policymakers while continuing to push for a long-term goal: an independent statutory body
Physiotherapy in India is a growing and vital profession. It deserves a regulatory framework that recognizes its unique contributions — and professionals who are not afraid to speak up for their future.
Let this not be the silence of surrender, but a pause before a stronger, more unified voice emerges.
