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Member organisation

Zambia Society of Physiotherapy

ZambiaAfrica
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The Zambia Society of Physiotherapy has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 1982 and is part of our Africa region.

Specialty groups

The Zambia Society of Physiotherapy, or its national special interest groups, are members of the following specialty groups recognised by World Physiotherapy:

World Physiotherapy member since

1982

Year members reported

2023

Number of physiotherapist members

93

Contact details

  • telephone (260) 1 252 544

    Zambia: a profile of the profession in 2023

    mo-pdf-iconDownload profilemo-pdf-iconData disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2023

    Professional titles protected by law

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    Physiotherapist

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    Physiotherapy Technologist

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    Physiotherapy Specialist

    About Zambia Society of Physiotherapy and the physiotherapy profession in Zambia

    Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory

    1,200 (estimated)

    0.60

    Per 10,000 population

    female-icon

    % female

    65%

    In this country/territory

    62%

    In this region

    63%

    Globally

    Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

    93

    female-icon

    % female

    72%

    In this MO

    70%

    In MOs in this region

    58%

    In MOs globally

    Physiotherapy professional entry level education

    Minimum qualification required to practice

    Bachelors degree

    Equivalent fulltime years

    4

    Number of programmes

    2

    Regulation

    * = Continuing Professional Development

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    Registration required to practice

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    CPD* required for re-registration

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    CPD* required for membership

    Practice

    Which authority defines scope of practice

    Ministry of Health or another government department

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    Standards of practice

    The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

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    Education for autonomous practice

    All programmes

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    Legislation supports private practice

    Physiotherapists are permitted to

    Direct access

    *Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional

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    Direct access* permitted?

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    Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Will this be reimbursed?

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    Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?

    Limitations

    What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?

    Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation

    Profile of the profession in this region

    A global profile of the profession is also available.

    Accessible version of data

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    Angola

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    2,470 (1000-10000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.69 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    75% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    75% (60-80%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.7 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Member organisation

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, Some programmes (Some)

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

    Benin

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    108 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.19 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    56% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    52% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.37 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    Public only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

    Cameroon

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.11 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    65% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    53% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.36 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Congo (Democratic Republic)

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    312 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.13 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    78% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    67% (60-80%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.3 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Eswatini

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    32 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.28 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    69% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    68% (60-80%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Ethiopia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    78 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.06 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    47% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    45% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.2 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, More than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Ghana

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    135 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.09 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    58% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    58% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.45 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, More than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, Some programmes (Some)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Ivory Coast

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    90 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.08 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    33% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    35% (20-40%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.18 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Kenya

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    243 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.4 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    42% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    49% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    1.02 (1-5)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, Some programmes (Some)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Private only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Madagascar

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    95 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.07 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    53% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    55% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.17 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, Some programmes (Some)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

    Malawi

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    240 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.09 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    21% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    22% (20-40%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.25 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Private only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Mauritius

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    41 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.71 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    59% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    56% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    3.96 (1-5)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, More than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Private only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Namibia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    137 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.57 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    73% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    68% (60-80%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    1.95 (1-5)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Private only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

    Niger

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    62 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.03 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    26% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    29% (20-40%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.38 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Nigeria

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    790 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.06 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40% (20-40%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.48 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, Some programmes (Some)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Rwanda

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    101 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.3 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    30% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    52% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.36 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Private only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Senegal

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    86 (<100)

    Sierra Leone

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    33 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.04 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    58% (40-60%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    58% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    1.16 (1-5)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    South Africa

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    3,373 (1000-10000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    1.47 (1-5)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    87% (>80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.67 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, More than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Sudan

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    69 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.77 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    77% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    93% (>80%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    1.49 (1-5)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, More than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Togo

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    95 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.51 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    29% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    16% (<20%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.57 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Private only

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

    Uganda

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    255 (100-1000)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.1 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    34% (20-40%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    49% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.42 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    Yes

    Zambia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    93 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.6 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    72% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    65% (60-80%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.5 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

    Zimbabwe

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    7 (<100)

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

    0.26 (<1)

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    71% (60-80%)

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    51% (40-60%)

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

    0.31 (<1)

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes, All programmes (Yes)

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

    No

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