The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has withdrawn its directive asking physiotherapists to stop using the ‘Dr’ prefix. The order, sent earlier to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), was retracted within a day, citing the need for more review and discussion.
The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP), Kerala president Dr. Sreejith M. Namboothiri (P.T.), said the directive created confusion among the public and exceeded DGHS’s legal authority. He clarified that only the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has the mandate to decide on such matters.
Under the NCAHP Act, 2021, physiotherapists are recognized as allied and healthcare professionals. They are allowed to use the “Dr” prefix, provided they add “(P.T.)” after their name to indicate their field. Since the Act came into force, the rules of the National Medical Commission do not apply to physiotherapy practice or education.
Namboothiri further argued that DGHS’s letter was outside its jurisdiction and legally invalid.
