No govt physiotherapy college in Telangana

​Hyderabad: Telangana boasts of many state-run colleges for different branches of medical science including medicine, dental, pharmacy, nursing etc. but interestingly there is not a single government college for physiotherapy.

Hence students from Telangana are pursuing Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course or have completed the course from only private physiotherapy colleges. The craze for students opting physiotherapy at undergraduate level has increased considerably in the last two-three years, but they must be content with private institutions because of lack of government colleges.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had announced four new medical colleges in Telangana in Mahbubnagar, Siddipet, Nalgonda and Suryapet with the last two likely to come up from next academic year. While giving top priority to medical education and improving facilities in the health sector in the State, the administration is yet to give importance to physiotherapy.

Even leading government medical colleges that have teaching hospitals like Osmania, Gandhi, Kakatiya etc. do not have a physiotherapy college. Physiotherapy or physical therapy has become so integral part of our life as we see many corporate and private hospitals in the State capital having separate physiotherapy units within their premises to treat patients referred for orthopaedic, neurology, cardiac, gyaenic (post-delivery), sports injuries etc. Realizing the growing importance for physio treatment, noted hospitals like Apollo, Care, KIMS, Durgabhai Deshmukh have established their own physiotherapy colleges to cater to their hospital needs.

The present way of life is becoming more demanding with increased stress levels and reduced physical activity, combined with common disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. This demographic means the demand for the physiotherapists is constantly rising, and in turn, offering more rewarding job opportunities. Hence, students opting for BPT in under-graduation has seen a big jump compared to the situation five to seven years ago.

Dr K Aparna, associate professor from Durgabhai Deshmukh College of Physiotherapy, says Physiotherapy is a growing profession with increased awareness among public and also more referrals being made by different specialist doctors which means increased job opportunities.

Dr P Ramesh from Telangana Physiotherapists Association says that need of the hour is starting government physiotherapy colleges for Osmania, Gandhi and Kakatiya medical colleges. Dr Ramesh Reddy, Director of Medical Education, said that they would explore establishing government physiotherapy colleges in the future.

A senior teaching faculty from a physiotherapy college recalled present Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s key role in the introduction of physiotherapy education in the combined state.

“During 1980s and early 1990s Telugu students used to go to neighbouring States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka to pursue BPT. In 1994-95, the then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu appointed a sub-committee headed by K Chandrashekar Rao (who was transport minister then) to study and recommend about prospects of establishing physiotherapy colleges in the State. Initially, permission was given for starting two private colleges in Guntur and Hyderabad,” the faculty member said, urging KCR to intervene and see to it that government physiotherapy colleges are established to provide educational opportunities to deserving and talented students. At present there are less than 800 seats in nearly 15 private colleges. NIMS, an autonomous institution, has its own physiotherapy college.