PESHAWAR: The members of Pakistan Physical Therapy Association on Wednesday demonstrated against the government for its failure to increase vacancies for professional physiotherapists in public sector hospitals and establish Pakistan Physical Therapy Council.

The physiotherapists while holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands shouted slogans, demanding setting up of Pakistan Physical Therapy Council.

The protestors said the federal cabinet had approved a bill of the council in 2018 but it was still roaming between ministries of law and health for unknown reasons.

The legislation, they said would ensure service structure, paid-house job, independent practice, professional allowance and new vacancies for physiotherapists at the district, tehsil and basic health unit level hospitals.

The protesters said the Pakistan Physical Therapy consisted of the HEC-approved five-year course of doctor of physical therapy, two-year masters programme and PhD and the setting up of the council was a must for its survival.

They said there was no regulatory body for the physiotherapists, and warned to continue the protests across the country if their demands were not met.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2019