World Physical Therapy Day 2009 activities - Pakistan

To mark World Physical Therapy Day in Pakistan the Baqai Medical University in Karachi held two days of celebrations starting with poster and essay competitions. This was followed with a free fitness camp which was seen as the best way of reaching as many people as possible. Several categories of health problems and areas were targeted including osteoporosis, BMI, body fat analysis, lung capacity tests, spinal deformities, obesity, aerobics and ergonomics. The impact of physical therapy in combating illness in these areas was shown.

The final day of celebrations included a seminar held at Saeeda Auditorium of the University. The day started with Tilawat of the Holy Quran and Naat which was followed by the welcome speech of Dr AA Kamal, Director of the Baqai Institute of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr AA Kamal in his speech dedicated this day to Rural Society as the main subject of that day was to mark the unity and solidarity of the physical therapy community across the world.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Lt Gen (R)S Azhar Ahmed, in his speech shared his experiences regarding physical therapy throughout his life and he appreciated the progress made by Baqai Institute of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Medicine. The seminar was followed by papers presented on different topics such as: Physical Therapy in Rural Pakistan (Salima Aziz, 3rd yr), Ergonomics (Zainab Siddiqui, 3rd yr), Whiplash Injury (Faizan Siddiqui, 3rd yr), Osteoporosis (Ms. Mahwish Shamim) & Frozen Shoulder (Farhan Ishaque).

All the students were very active in organising this event as the celebration of the day was entirely voluntary. At the end prizes were issued to the competition winners and certificates were given to several of the.organisers.

In addition to the above, on the 8th September two physical therapists assessed and treated patients for free. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that this has taken place and hopes to set an example for other physical therapists in the country.