Jammu and Kashmir physiotherapists to meet PM, Rahul

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR - A delegation of physiotherapists from Jammu and Kashmir will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in the national capital this week to discuss the problems faced by their community in the state.

Convener of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP), Srinagar branch, Wassim Malik told IANS that the delegation will travel to Delhi to discuss with the leaders the issues of students and practising physiotherapists in the state.

“The delegation will address the issues and problems faced by the students and working physiotherapists in the valley and seek solutions,” Malik said.

According to the association, 210 posts were planned and created for physiotherapists in Jammu and Kashmir but none has been implemented.

“In 2008, the association had a meeting with then health minister and deputy chief minister Mangat Ram Sharma. The posts were created but the implementation did not happen that time due to elections and the change in government,” IAP General Secretary Sanjiv Jha said.

“Almost 25 physiotherapy students were thrashed by the police during a peaceful protest in Srinagar recently. In a similar rally, female physiotherapists were also manhandled by policemen. A case has been registered with the National Commission for Women,” he said.

“The student community is unhappy with the state’s laidback and step-brotherly attitude towards them. Over 3,000 students are unemployed in the valley and the government shows no concern,” he alleged.

Malik said: “The IAP suggested to Sharma the creation of a physiotherapy post for every district and sub-district of the region. The proposal was accepted. The Planning Department also approved it but created a lower grade cadre for physios.”

“We also met then chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad regarding the same. He promised to expedite the whole issue towards a solution. But due to the change in government no action could be taken,” he added.

The association is now pinning its hope on the meeting with the prime minister and the Congress general secretary.

“We expect that the prime minister will intervene. It is not only about 3,000 unemployed physiotherapists in the valley but also for the greater population that needs physiotherapy services for better health,” IAP president Ali Irani said.

“Being a youth leader, we expect Gandhi to take the matter to a peaceful solution,” he added.