World Physical Therapy Day 2009 actvities - Nepal

The Nepal Physiotherapy Association celebrated World Physical Therapy Day on 8th September 2009 using the “Movement for Health” theme. A rally was organised by the association to create awareness of the profession amongst the public, which ended with a workshop on "Challenges and opportunities for physiotherapy in Nepal". More than 150 physiotherapists participated in the programme.

The workshop was inaugurated by the state Minister of Health and Population. Discussions were held concerning lobbying the government for creating physiotherapy in government hospitals. The state minister was requested to consider physiotherapy and put their word in ministry of health. The need for a physiotherapy department and physiotherapists in all the hospitals in the 75 districts of Nepal was put forward.

The director of the Heart Foundation and the director of the General Hospital, one of the largest government hospitals in Nepal, were also invited to let them know how physiotherapy can be helpful in global health in preventing diabetes, obesity and heart diseases. They were also informed that physiotherapists not only treat musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, but are also experts in other systems, experts for prescribing exercises. After the workshop a press meeting was held. The programme ended with a presentation by a few physiotherapists about "Scope and Practice of Physiotherapy in Nepal".