TUESDAY, JUNE 03, 2025
Allied Health Sciences: A promising professional career path
Published on May 27, 2025
By EMN
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- Many students who are interested and have the passion to pursue the medical field have appeared the recent NEET for securing admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BVSc, and B.Sc Nursing courses etc in top government and private medical colleges. The recently concluded NEET 2025 exam witnessed 23 lakhs aspirants registering for the exam which affirms the role of this exam as a primary gateway to medical education in India. The projected available admission seat for MBBS is merely approximately 1.20 lakhs. As many students rush for this race, it is apparent that every aspirant will not get equal chance to reach the desired goal.
- There is perhaps an alternative viable career route for those students interested to join the healthcare sectors without pursuing a full medical career. One such alternative pathway is Allied Health Science. Allied health sciences form the backbone of healthcare systems worldwide. They include several courses recognized by the National Commission for Allied Healthcare Professionals (NCAHP). Experts in this profession offer diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive services—all essential to the healthcare system. They work in tandem with physicians and other medical specialists to deliver exceptional care to patients. As a common regulatory body, the NCAHP Act 2021 provides regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by Allied and Healthcare professionals, assessment of institutions, maintenance of a Central Register and State Register, and creation of a system to improve access, research and development and adoption of latest scientific advancement and connected matters. At present, NCAHP Act covers 56 Allied and Healthcare Professions categorized under 10 broad recognized categories.
- Courses for science students:
- Students having science background with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Mathematics may opt for courses like- Bachelors in Physiotherapy (BPT), Bachelors in Medical Lab Technology (BMLT), B.Sc Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, B.Sc Anasthesia and Operation Theatre Technology, B.Sc Optometry, B.Sc in Dialysis Therapy Technology, B.Sc Physician assistant, Bachelor in Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, etc.
- All degree courses ranges from 3.5 years to 5 years with compulsory internship from recognized hospitals.
- Courses for Arts students:
- Even students with arts background are eligible to join the certificate and diploma courses:
- Students with a Diploma in MLT can join the BMLT course through lateral entry after completion of Diploma. All diploma courses range from 1 year to 2.5 years with compulsory internship from recognized hospitals.
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- Course fee in private institutes range between Rs. 35,000 to 45,000 each semester for diploma, while bachelor’s degree can cost around Rs. 45000 to Rs. 75000 each semester depending on the university with additional charges of accommodation throughout the course.
- Institutes offering Allied Health Sciences/Paramedical courses in Nagaland
- North East Christian University offers admission to Certificate, Diploma and Degree courses of Allied Health Sciences with a scope of Masters and PhD in the coming years.
- Other institutes within Nagaland include Christian Institute of Health Science & Research and Paramedical Training Institute, Kohima.
- Job opportunities:
- Trained Allied Health/paramedical graduates are always in high demand in the ever changing health situation. There is an increasing demand in hospitals, diagnostic centers, and other health care organizations.
- Annually multitude of job opportunities emerges in the field of medical field including paramedical sectors within Government Hospitals, Government medical colleges/institutions, Banking, Railway Recruitment Board, Government run schemes and projects etc.
- Apart from the primary technical occupations, the graduates are also given the choice of professions such as healthcare consultants, educators/instructors, medical representatives, and healthcare administrators.
- Conclusion:
- As India stride towards becoming a global leader in healthcare innovation, the contribution of Allied Health professionals is at the forefront as it supports the healthcare system by making it more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. A career in allied health sciences is promising, and there is a growing need for qualified workers in this field. These programs offer a shorter route to employment in the healthcare sector and usually have less demanding admission requirements than medical degrees.
- Dr. Shikatoli Wotsa
- Assistant Professor (Food and Nutrition)
- Allied Health Sciences
- North East Christian University,
- Dimapur, Nagaland Shikatoli_wotsa@necu.ac.in
Nagaland Districts
