World Physiotherapy Day Celebrations Focusing on Rehabilitation and Management of COVID-19 Patients

Nairobi, September 8^th 2020: In celebration of the World Physiotherapy Day, the Amref International University today hosted health experts for discussions on rehabilitation and management of COVID-19 patients through physiotherapy.

Themed ‘Physiotherapy is key to your recovery from COVID-19‘, the Kenya Society of Physiotherapists organised the forum that included live demonstrations of some of the physiotherapy techniques for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.  

‘‘During the COVID-19 pandemic, physiotherapists have been playing a key role as frontline workers from the ICU to community-based settings after discharge,’’ noted Dr Catherine Wambua, Head of Department, Rehabilitative Medicine at Amref International University (AMIU) and Secretary-General, Kenya Society of Physiotherapists.

This year’s World Physiotherapy Day commemoration is aimed at promoting the role of physiotherapy prior, during and after infection with the Coronavirus. Reports indicate that the rehabilitation needs of people with severe COVID-19 exist during the acute, sub-acute and long-term phases of the disease with physiotherapists being vital to the recovery efforts in ICUs, hospital wards, stepdown facilitates and in the community.

Amref International University (AMIU) has identified physiotherapy as a crucial component in the optimal performance of the health system. In April 2020, AMIU launched a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree course in Physiotherapy with a mission of preparing a highly-skilled physiotherapy workforce with excellence in patient care, research and leadership for promotive, preventive, rehabilitative and palliative health of individuals and communities.

‘‘We continue to ensure flexibility in the programmes we offer in response to the diverse needs observed during the pandemic. In this regard, we have developed a free COVID-19 course for frontline health service providers to share up to date information in physiotherapy, among other health areas,’’ said Prof. Marion Mutugi, Vice Chancellor, Amref International University.

Amref has actively participated in the COVID-19 response and was part of a task force to establish COVID-19 Practice Guidelines for Physiotherapy as well as  the task force currently developing the Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and Disability Categorization Guidelines.  The participation of Amref International University in the COVID response is part of achieving its mission to Inspire Lasting Change.

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NOTES TO THE EDITORS

About Amref International University

Amref International University (AMIU) is an accredited institution of higher learning focused on training in health sciences. It is fully owned by Amref Health Africa. AMIU is founded on the intellect of Amref Health Africa, which has over 60 years’ experience providing quality public health interventions, training and education. AMIU has nurtured leaders and shaped the future of public health practice in Africa for over 40 years under its predecessor Amref International Training Centre (AITC). We lead the way in health sciences education with a breadth of programmes. We focus primarily on health sciences courses with a commitment to progressively develop innovative programmes catering to the present and future needs of African populations. Visit www.amref.ac.ke for more information on our programmes.

About Kenya Society of Physiotherapists

The Kenya Society of Physiotherapists (KSP) is a registered welfare association with the registrar of societies for the Kenyan physiotherapists.  It is an affiliate member of the world governing body, World physiotherapy. The mission of the Kenya Society of Physiotherapists is to work towards the development of national health by representing the Kenya Physiotherapy professionals nationally and internationally promoting high standards of physiotherapy education, practice and research supporting communication and exchange of information among its general public and collaborating with other national and international professional organisations.

CONTACTS

Betty Buyuka

Communications and Marketing Manager

Amref International University (AMIU)

Email: Betty.Buyuka@amref.ac.ke