KAPC

The Kerala Association for Physiotherapists' Co-ordination (KAPC) was formed with the intention of uplifting the professional standards of physiotherapists in Kerala by constituting an independent physiotherapy council. The basic criteria for registering with the association is a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy (BPT) from a recognized university. Even though the field of physiotherapy boasts many veterans, most are not aware of their rights and lose out of opportunities in the process. KAPC tries to build the confidence of its members and urge them to stand united and fight for their rights.
Apart from forming the Kerala State Independent Physiotherapy Council, the association plans to take up many issues including pushing the government to consider the creation of more posts in the government sector, revising the salary of Physiotherapists working in private co-operative and government sectors, forming a separate Physiotherapy school under the medical university of Kerala, uplifting educational standards, improving public awareness of Physiotherapy and fighting against quackery.
The association is also working towards achieving complete standardization of the Physiotherapy community. In a short span of time KAPC has been fairly successful in fighting against the exploitation of the community members. We have to achieve more. KAPC requests each and every Physiotherapist to be with us in this venture. ‘Let us join hands for a better tomorrow’....

At the time when the paramedical bill going to pass, the Physiotherapists from Malappuram, Calicut and Kannur conducted a meeting at AWH DC Centre, Calicut on July 2009. And makes a decision that should give awareness to all of the MLA’S and Ministers in Kerala regarding Physiotherapy. According to that decision they met most of the MLA’S and also the Health Minister Smt. Srimathi teacher in her office. From Calicut Dr. Muhamadali, Dr. Ashkar Ali, Dr, Ambareesh and Dr. Sreejesh M. S. from Malappuram Dr. Gulab Kappattakath and Dr. Anil, from Thiruvananthapuram Dr.Sreejith M Nampoothiri and Dr. Abhilash S Babu from Kottayam also participated to visit the minister. After that there was no movement. Dr. Abhilash S Babu co-ordinated members from different parts of the state and a meeting was conducted at School of Medical Education Angamaly Regional Centre Auditorium on 3rd January 2010. Around 70 members attended the meeting and our issues were discussed in detail. The need of forming an association for taking up problem was focus of the discussion. At the end of that meeting an association was formed with the name Kerala State Physiotherapists Co-ordination Committee (KSPCC) and state ad hock committee was formed with Dr. Deepu S Chandran as President and Dr. Abhilash S Babu as Secretary. After one month in another official meeting at Ernakulam, the first state committee came in to existence. Dr. Sreejith M Nampoothiri as president and Dr. Abhilash S Babu as Secretary. During the registration of association the name Kerala State Physiotherapists Co-ordination Committee (KSPCC) was changed as Kerala Association for Physiotherapists' Co-ordination (KAPC).

KAPC State committee has managed to represent all major issues that plague our profession in front of health minister Smt. P.K. Srimathi teacher. Separate representations were given to Chief Minister, other Ministers, MLAs, MPs, central cabinet ministers etc, regarding the formation of an independent Kerala state Physiotherapy council. In addition, the KAPC has filed pleaded before the honorable High Court, with the above mentioned memorandum as P1 Exhibit, insisting on the formation of an independent Kerala state physiotherapy council. A new case has also been filed against the government order issued against the physiotherapists and the high court has issued a stay. In connection with the pleading, the honorable high court has directed the government to get a sense of the problems faced by us. A DME hearing was conducted under the health joint secretary and the association state leadership consisting of Dr. Gopakumar, Dr.Deepu S Chandran,Dr. Sreejith M Nampoothiri and Dr. Suhas. Unfortunately the hearing was manipulated by various medical associations. However, a private physiotherapy bill was presented in the Kerala Assembly by P. Sree Ramakrishnan MLA, supported by Chief Whip Shri. PC George, which suggests the govt to form an independent physiotherapy council. In addition to these, the KAPC has waged many struggles against the exploitation of the Physio community. These include the prestigious Avakasha Prakyapana Rali, KUHAS Strike, Kannur DMO Office March, Ernakulam Collectorate March, Mass letter Campaign, Physio Congress 2012 cunducted at Calicut, Trivandrum DME March, Trivandrum Secretariat march, Bhodahanam, District CPD programs like Physio Venezia 2012, Emergency Life Saving Physiotherapy Measures, among others. A number of activities which aim at the promotion of physiotherapy practice are on the anvil.