Equivalency norms haunt paramedical graduates in Kerala

The bone of contention lie in the disparity in course duration – allied health courses offered by universities outside the State are three-and-a-half-year long, whereas those conducted by the Kerala University of Health Sciences have a duration of four years.

Academic equivalency norms, which have bothered numerous job aspirants in Kerala, have begun to pose problems for from institutions elsewhere including All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). The bone of contention lie in the disparity in course duration – allied health courses offered by universities outside the State are three-and-a-half-year long, whereas those conducted by the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) have a duration of four years. As a result, graduates of programmes having immense job potential such as B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Anaesthesia Technology and Renal Dialysis Technology are required to obtain equivalency certificates from KUHS in line with the Paramedical Council of Kerala norms for placements in government hospitals and to pursue post graduation in Kerala. Making matter worse, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been insisting for the registration certificates issued by the Paramedical Council of late.