|
| |
 |
|
| NEWS AND INFORMATION |
|
| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 52
| Issue : 2 | Page : 79-81 |
|
News and Information
| Date of Web Publication | 6-Jun-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
How to cite this article:
. News and Information. Indian J Occup Ther 2020;52:79-81 |
| Occuptional Therapy Corona Warriors | |  |
This 2020, we have all experienced how the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a storm in our lives. The deadly corona virus has spread all over the planet, keeping billions of citizens into lockdown. The preventive measures being adopted globally are: quarantine for suspected persons, long duration lockdown throughout the country and essential physical distancing for all citizens. It ultimately results into social isolation which induces extreme detrimental effects on a person's mental, emotional and even the physical health.
The vital need is to access and use infection control measures combined with the efforts to sustain good physical, psychological, mental health and stamina during the period of self-quarantine and long shutdown of the cities. Occupational Therapists (OTs) should also contribute in their vicinities in the prevention process, by observing the AIOTA guidelines for intervention under supervision of state administrative/health authorities or as directed by the government of India. All India Occupational Therapists' Association (AIOTA) & Occupational Therapy (OT) professionals from across the country, are with the government in its fight to eradicate the effects of this pandemic. About 550 members of the AIOTA are selflessly volunteering their expertise and services to the government of India to combat the serious challenge of this century. The valued contribution and professional dedication of members, institutions and branches of the AIOTA towards serving humanity at this crucial time, is unique and will be recorded in the history of the AIOTA.
| Training Modules on Covid-19 | | |
The AIOTA has prepared a training module 'Occupational Therapy Intervention for COVID-19' for government of India's iGOT site and members of the AIOTA. The document with narration is prepared to be used as training for the trainers. The module is also available on the AIOTA & the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) websites. The training module has received wide appreciation from WFOT officials and members of the AIOTA in India and overseas.
Academic Council of Occupational Therapy (ACOT) is also in process of preparing free for all short duration training modules on varied areas of occupational therapy intervention during quarantine and or long shutdown of cities, which will be useful for members of the AIOTA, caregivers of the patients and all those who are interested. These online short courses are an effort to empower occupational therapy professionals and students for minimizing the effect of COVID-19. The training modules will be made available on government and also the AIOTA websites. The areas of intervention will be psycho-social management, tele-rehabilitation: care of children with special needs (CWSN) at home, stress management and relaxation techniques, care for elders, ergonomics and posture management during work from home.
Following links will also provide the availability of online training modules useful for occupational therapists to empower them to provide services for COVID pandemic:
- AIOTA: http://aiota.org/temp/covid19/occupationaltherpy interventioninCOVID19_Final.pptx
- Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India with the pan-India training through the official platform 'Integrated Government Online Training' (iGOT): https://igot.gov.in/igot/
- World Health Organization (WHO): www.openwho.org/courses
| E-Learning in Occupational Therapy | | |
The current educational disruption globally due to long shutdown of the countries is threatening the right to education. The AIOTA is concerned to restore education regardless of closure of institutions, through the use of technology for undergraduate (UG) & postgraduate (PG) education in occupational therapy. Considering these aspects the Academic Council of Occupational Therapy (ACOT) has taken a lead to prepare a document titled 'Smart Clinical OT Educational Plan during COVID-19 Lockdown'. E-learning based on this document may prove to be an effective, smart, educational tool for UG & PG education in OT in India. Principal and Head of the OT Education Programs are advised to connect with their students through this 'Smart Clinical OT Education Program' and technology thereby prevailing educational rhythm amongst the students.
| Core Committee Members Covid-19 | | |
Following are the members of the AIOTA Core Committee for COVID-19
Chairman: Dr. Anil K. Srivastava (Lucknow), President AIOTA
Coordinator: Dr. Neeraj Mishra (New Delhi), formerly AIOTA EC member
Members: Dean ACOT: Dr. Jyothika N. Bijlani (Mumbai), Executive Editor, IJOT: Dr. Lakshmanan Sethuraman (Bangalore) and AIOTA EC member: Dr. Murali Krishnan (Chennai)
| AIOTA Contribution for Relief Efforts Against Covid-19 | | |
The executive committee (EC) of the AIOTA convened on 5th April, 2020 has decided to donate a sum of INR 100000.00 (One Lac) to an appropriate organization or ' Prime Minister'sCitizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency SituationsFund ( PM CARES Fund)' for combating, containment and relief efforts against the COVID-19 outbreak in India.
| Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting Covid-19 | | |
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, vide DO letter carrying reference no. Z/21020/16/2020-PH, dated 30th March, 2020, informed about the Comprehensive Personal Accident Cover of Rs. 50 Lacs for 90 days for those who will be rendering expertise/services through direct /indirect contact in care of COVID-19 patients who may be at risk of being impacted by this. The scheme will be effective from 30th March, 2020. This is in respect to Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health workers fighting Covid-19.
| OTICON'2021 and AIOTA Fellowship Postponed | | |
The COVID-19 pandemic has grossly affected the routine academic and administrative activities of the AIOTA. The executive committee of the AIOTA has taken decision to postpone the 58th annual national conference of the AIOTA i.e. OTICON'2021, scheduled in January, 2021 at Puducherry. The proposed Fellowship Program on Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation & Ergonomics, and many more academic activities planned by the Academic Council of Occupational Therapy (ACOT), during 2020, also stands as postponed. The Executive meetings of AIOTA & ACOT, IJOT board meetings and the Core Committee Meeting for COVID-19 too, are arranged virtually at frequent intervals as and when required for the continuance of functioning of AIOTA.
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Occupational Therapists on Duty | | |
Honorable Supreme Court has delivered Judgment on 27th April, 2020, that all health care officials and workers working in hospital duties including non-COVID treatment areas should also be provided personal protective equipment (PPE), having regard to the fact that COVID-19 infection from asymptomatic patients are reported to be on rise in the country.
In view of the above, government of India has been directed to make necessary suggestions in the 'Rationale use of Personal Protective Equipment' guidelines, so that PPE's are provided to all healthcare officials and workers who are working in non-Covid treatment areas. Therefore based upon availability, the PPE will also be provided to all occupational therapists working in non-Covid treatment areas of the hospitals.
| National Commission for Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill | | |
Union Cabinet under the potential leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi has approved for constituting the 'National Commission for Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill, 2020'. The said Bill is based on the recommendations of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare (Rajya Sabha) chaired by Honorable Sri Ram Gopal Verma: (117th Report). This professionally significant dream of occupational therapy professionals and the AIOTA, which was eagerly awaited since the last three decades, is now expected to be fulfilled soon. The proposed enactment is all set to widen the scope, brighten the education and infuse independent practice in India. The recommendations put forth by the Standing Committee has been accepted almost in totality by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and thereafter approved by the Committee. The Bill will be tabled in the Parliament soon, for enforcing enactment. Almost all suggestions endorsed by the AIOTA were addressed in the proposed Bill. Kindly visit: http://aiota.org/otnews for brief recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee in respect to occupational therapy & the AIOTA.
| Indian Occupational Therapy Registration (IOTR) | | |
The AIOTA has decided that the Academic Council of Occupational Therapy will now issue 'Indian Occupational Therapy Registration Certificate' (IOTR) to the members of the AIOTA, in place of the existing policy of dispensing the registration certificate for pursuing ethical & legal practice anywhere in India. The provision for issuing IOTR to the OT professionals, graduated from WFOT approved institution/universities other than India, will also be available after fulfilling the set down regulations. The members of the AIOTA possessing 'Indian Occupational Therapy Registration Certificate' bearing the Registration No. will be entitled to suffix IOTR. The information and guidelines are available on the AIOTA website www.aiota.org.
| Editorial Board of the Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy | | |
The AIOTA has decided that the Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy (IJOT) shall be published based on the needs of publishing quality research and indexing databases. In view of this, it will now be mandatory for the Editorial Board Members to fulfill the requirement of the latest updated national and international guidelines and requisite credentials, necessary for the indexing of the journal in national and international indexing databases, to manage the work with respect to the publication of the IJOT. President and Vice-President, AIOTA shall be the Executive Chairman and Executive Co-Chairman of the Board respectively. The following would constitute the Editorial Board:
- Editor-in-Chief (1)
- Editor (1)
- Executive Editor (1)
- Associate Editors (2)
- Assistant Editors (2)
- Editorial Board Members (5)
There shall be Review Board Members of about 30 to 40 members, in various specialty areas for peer review and Advisory Board Members (5) for expert opinions on functions of the journal.
The tenure of Editorial Board Members shall be of 4 calendar years (January-December). The Editorial and Review Board members' performance shall be reviewed every four yearly, for further continuance, as per the documented performance records, for necessary decisions on re-formation of Editorial and Review Board by the Executive Committee, AIOTA.
| National Cerebral Palsy Hip Surveillance Project | | |
Dr. Ashok N. Johari, Chairman, “Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy (IACP) Save the Hip Project”, has designed a “National Hip Surveillance Project for Cerebral Palsy” to formulate national guidelines. The project has started from 1st May, 2020 and may run over a period of one year to formulate the guidelines, to be submitted to the Government of India, for approval, passing of the bill and implementation. Dr. Johari had requested for collaboration of the AIOTA for this project. Dr. Punita V. Solanki, Editor, IJOT and EC member, AIOTA has been nominated as member of the Guidelines Committee for this project. Dr. Trupti Nikharge from Mumbai, EC member, IACP and an AIOTA member, Occupational Therapist at TNMC and BYL Nair Hospital, is also a Committee member for this project.
National Hip Surveillance Program for Cerebral Palsy will focus on early detection and management, documentation for follow-up and scientific research, creation of awareness amongst professionals and families and exploring the basis for future legislation for hip problems in patients with cerebral palsy.
| WFOT: ISWP Wheelchair Educators Package Development Group | | |
The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) has circulated a request through WFOT for expression-of-interest for individuals to participate in the development of an Educators Package to guide the integration of wheelchair service provision education into professional rehabilitation academic programs and regional training centers. For more information please contact Dr. Paula Rushton at email: paula.rushton@umontreal.ca. The deadline for receiving response is 11th May, 2020.
| WFOT: Call for Nominations for WHO Wheelchair Standards | | |
WFOT has been requested by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) to solicit nominations/applications for expert occupational therapists with experience in wheelchair service provision who would be willing to volunteer their time to work as part of the development of the WHO's Wheelchair Standards. Expert occupational therapists are required to participate in either a Standard Development Group (SDG) or External Review Group (ERG). WFOT will need to receive nominations by 7th May, 2020. Members of the AIOTA interested in either the SDG or the ERG are desired to complete the application form via the link: https://wfot.link/wcdg
| WFOT Congratulated to Newly Elected AIOTA Executive Team | | |
Marilyn Pattison, President, Ritchard Ledgerd, Executive Director and other officials of the WFOT Executive Managing Team have sent the letter of congratulation to newly elected Executive Team of the AIOTA and ACOT (2020-2024) and expected continued collaboration of both the organizations.
| AIOTA Certification for Ergonomically Designed Products | | |
The AIOTA certification for the ergonomically designed seating and other ranges has been provided after carrying out inspection as per norms to the following:
- Godrej Interio, Mumbai: Office furniture Range: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- Godrej Interio, Mumbai: Education Furniture Range: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- Geeken Seating Collections Private Limited, Gurugram: Range of Chairs: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- Durian Industries Private Limited, Mumbai: Office Furniture Range: Valid till 31st December, 2020.
- Methodex Systems Private Limited, Indore: Range of Premium Chairs: Valid till 30th April, 2020
- Bonton Technomake Private Limited, Indore: Seating Range: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- Bonton Technomake Private Limited, Indore: Education Furniture Range: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- Delite Hi-Tech Furniture Industries Private Limited, Bhiwadi, Distt. Alwar: Seating System Range: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- Delite Hi-Tech Furniture Industries Private Limited, Bhiwadi, Distt. Alwar: Office Furniture Range: Valid till 31st March, 2021
- 21st Century Techno Products Private Limited, (Stellar), Indore: Seating System: Valid till 31st May 2021.
Besides issuing certifications to the above listed industries, the AIOTA is in continual communication with the many other industries industries for completing the set down process; Neelkamal Private Limited, Mumbai, Spacewood Furnishers Private Limited, Nagpur, Impression Furniture Industries, Bhopal, Promark Techsolutions Private Limited, Ropar, Punjab and others
| AIOTA Certification for Ergonomically Designed Products | | |
Following are the members of the AIOTA Certification for Ergonomically Designed Products Committee:
Chairman: Dr. Anil K. Srivastava, President
Convener: Dr. Shashi Oberai, Ex-Officio EC Member
Members: Dr. Pratibha M. Vaidya, Honorary Treasurer and Dr. Satish S. Maslekar, formerly Honorary Secretary
|
|
|
| Article Access Statistics | | | Viewed | 1787 | | | Printed | 94 | | | Emailed | 0 | | | PDF Downloaded | 9 | | | Comments | [Add] | | |
|
|
