Orthotics Prosthetics Council Pakistan — a need of time

More than 200 graduates have been produced since the inception of PIPOS. Now the opening of new O&P educational schools in Karachi and Rawalpindi will saturate the society more in coming years. People are now much aware than before. O & P demands have been increased day by day. Ten years back, one cannot imagine the job opportunities like today. Educational standards are going higher day by day.

But all is not good some where. If we talk about the inland situation then Jobs are more in private sector than in public / government sector. Although the job opportunities have been increased but still limited to the private sector. Only two or three public sector O&P Setups are working. Government jobs are almost occupied by technicians and there is no way to replace them. Any person who knows what artificial limb is and what a splint can be an Orthotist / Prosthetist in Pakistan. Traditional technicians have opened the setups all over the country and giving no space to any one due to their low cost services.

Brain drain of O&P professionals in last years has been increased. Competition for jobs has been raised out side the country due to financial recession and limited job opportunities. Although our O&P Professionals are proving their skills and capabilities around the globe but no one can realize their struggle or problems until faced by him / herself. A university degree with a certificate of ISPO cat II is the only proof to stand among them who have been backed and standardized by their national regulatory councils and licencing authorities.

In Pakistan, there is no licencing authority for the Orthotists/Prosthetists. No rules and regulations have been implemented to standardized the Orthotics Prosthetics

practice in the country. There are national councils for nearly every medical profession. Following is a brief list.

• Pakistan Medical & Dental Council
• Pakistan Engineering Council
• National Council for Homeopathy
• Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council
• National Council of Tibb
• Pakistan nursing council
• Pakistan Paramedical Council

National Association of Prosthetics Orthotics Paksitan is only an association of professionals , but not allowed to provide the licensing or regulating the orthotic prosthetic practice inPakistan.We must need an ORTHOTIC PROSTHETIC COUNCIL of PAKISTAN. This council can provide the license and regulate the practice just like PMDC or other in Pakistan.

The purpose of this open email is just to request all the teachers, seniors, Fellows and juniors, to please join together to develop this council. This may be the problem of few now, but we all may have in future.