Bengaluru, August 17: The Karnataka government has announced the formation of the State Allied and Healthcare Council and has appointed Dr. UT Ifthikar Fareed, Principal of Dr. MV Shetty College of Physiotherapy Mangaluru, as its Chairman. This council is established under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, and will be responsible for overseeing all allied and paramedical course colleges across Karnataka.
The council will include several ex-officio members such as the Director of the Directorate of Medical Education in Bengaluru, the Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences in Kalaburagi, and the Director of the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in Hubballi.
Dr. Ifthikar Fareed is a prominent figure in the fields of social, political, and service activities. His extensive involvement in various organizations highlights his commitment to advancing healthcare and physiotherapy in India.
Dr. Fareed also holds multiple prestigious positions, including Syndicate Member of Rajiv Gandhi Health University, State President of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists, President of the Sports and Fitness Training Federation of India.
He completed his Bachelor and Master of Physiotherapy from Dr. M.V. Shetty College. He then obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation from the National University of Medical Sciences, USA.
Since February 2009, he has been serving as a Professor at Dr. M.V. Shetty College of Physiotherapy, which is affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru.
While teaching for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of physiotherapy, Dr. Fareed is also actively participating in clinical practice at the 800-bed Government District Hospital in Mangaluru. Additionally, Dr. Fareed has served two terms on the Board of Studies in Physiotherapy at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, from 2003 to 2008. His expertise is further recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India, where he serves as an inspector.
He is the son of former Ullal MLA Late UT Fareed and younger brother of Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader.
Dr. Fareed was honored at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Bearys Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) on Friday in Mangaluru.
During the event, Dr. Iftikhar expressed his gratitude for the recognition and shared details about his new role. He highlighted that 54 healthcare-related courses have been unified under a single council. He assured that he would only use government facilities in Bengaluru and expressed his commitment to assist deserving individuals to the best of his ability.
He also emphasized the importance of educational institutions, especially those serving minority communities, in taking advantage of opportunities to introduce new healthcare courses. He noted that nearly 90% of minorities in the Kerala-Karnataka region are receiving education here locally.
Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Vice Chancellor of Yenepoya University, Mangaluru congratulated Dr. Fareed on his appointment. Dr. Kunhi described Dr. Fareed as a role model for the youth and credited his success to the support of his wife and family. BCCI President SM Rasheedd Haji presided over the event.
