Physiotherapists’ portal to keep quacks at bay

“There are a lot of quacks and their numbers keep going up. Therefore, people are easily exploited. So many people today need physiotherapy treatment and proper information will help them reach the right specialist,” said T M N Deepak, founder of the December Three Movement, an organisation that focusses on persons with disabilities. 

He said that the website will include the names of professional physiotherapists, which will also ensure that their credibility goes up. “People should not get exploited. However, unless the website is constantly upgraded, the whole idea will be a waste. Besides, being registered under the website will help them have a collective bargaining and have a leverage with the government,” he added.

Stating that the main objective of the website is to eradicate quack physiotherapy practitioners, Dr S Sivabalan, a physiotherapist, said, “Only physiotherapists registered under the Indian Association of Physiotherapists can have login access to this website and it is mandatory for them to register with this website. Every member must upload a photocopy of their degree certificates.”

Further, he said, this the platform will help the public choose the ideal physiotherapists. “The website will soon get the permission of the High Court,” he added.

Stating that the WHO has recommended one physiotherapist per 1,000 people, Dr S Selvin James, another physiotherapist from the state, said, “Even though there are reportedly around 1.5 lakh physiotherapists, many have completed just a diploma. It is essential to keep a check on that.”