To constitute separate Speech & Hearing Council ..Health Bill 2011

Written Memoranda

To
The Joint Director,
Parliament House,
New Delhi

Sub: To constitute separate Speech & Hearing Council in The National Commission For Human Resources For Health Bill, 2011 under section 41 read with section 2 (k)

Sir,

Ref to your notification inviting suggestions on the Bill as stated in the above-mentioned subject from the Individuals and organization stated as below

Speech language pathologists and audiologists are concerned with the prevention, identification and rehabilitation of children and adults with communication disorders and hearing impairment. Audiologists examine people of all ages and identify symptoms of hearing loss, auditory, balance and related sensory and neural problems. In India the history of this profession is not new and it was first started in 1966 and today there are many Institutions offering speech Pathology/Audiology degrees

The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its decision held in Mewa Ram vs AIIMS 1989 SCR(1) 1957 has categorically held that "We fully agree with the above observations and accordingly we hold that in the instant case since the Hearing Therapist and Audiologist both render professional services and there is qualitative difference between the two"

In developed countries such as Unites states, U.K, Australia etc the audiologists and speech therapists are regulated by their separate Councils such as American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA), British Audiology Academy(BAA),RCCP, Audio logical society Australia etc which regulates the professional and ethics standards which work for the interest of speech and hearing professionals.

In India, around 2% of the population is suffering from speech and hearing problems and for their interest of speech and hearing professionals it’s now essential that there is separate council of the Audiologists/Speech Pathologists which can regulate the professional standards in much efficient manner

In the abovementioned Bill, there is no indication of the speech & hearing qualifications in the schedule and it’s also unfair of putting the Speech & Hearing professional qualifications under the sixth schedule with other paramedical qualifications as Speech & Hearing stream (also called Audiology & Speech Pathology) like Pharmacy, Nursing is being taught at Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Level. In some Institute of India, the post doctoral qualifications are also awarded to the Ph.D holders. Thus it’s very unreasonable to place the speech and hearing qualifications with paramedical qualifications which are hardly being taught at Master Level

Section 2 under head Definitions
(k) “Discipline of health” : Needs to include speech & hearing professional( also called Audiologist & Speech Pathologist) discipline by notification
(w) : “National Council” needs to include separate Speech & Hearing council
(x) “ National Register” To insert Register of Speech & Hearing professionals maintained by the Speech & Hearing Council of India

Section 4 (2)
(a): Needs to add “speech & Hearing” Discipline for the four whole time members appointed by the Central Govt
(b): Needs to add “ Speech & Hearing” discipline for eight time part time members

Section 41 : To insert Speech & Hearing Council in subsection (3) of the Act as On the commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall, by notification,constitute the speech & hearing Council of India for the disciplines of Speech & Hearing Professionals

Section 53(1): Constitution of the state Council:
Need to include (f) the Speech & Hearing Council of .................... (name of the State) for Speech & Hearing Professional

Section 60 : To insert
No person shall, unless he is enrolled on the National Register or the State Register,
as the case may be, of Speech & Hearing Professional,—
(i) hold any appointment as Audiologist or Speech Pathologist/Therapist in any dispensary, hospital or other health institution which is supported wholly or partially from public or local funds; or
(ii) practice as a Audiologist or Speech Pathologist/Therapist.
iii) sign or authenticate a certificate required under any law for time being in force from a Audiologist & Speech Therapist; or
(d) give evidence in any court of law as an expert in any matter relating to
Speech & Hearing Disability.
Any more suggestion can be made with leave of the secretariat in interest of speech & Hearing professionals in India

Thanking you,
Sincerely yours

Associations( Audiology India, NISHA etc)