Physiotherapy services neglected for decades

PHYSIOTHERAPY services have been neglected for decades in Papua New Guinea, physiotherapy coordinator Dr Michael Wilson told the 48th Medical Symposium at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday.
Wilson said there was a great need for people living with disabilities to receive the right type of treatment.
He then launched the new PNG Physiotherapy Association (PNGPA).
Wilson said in the 1980s, PNG had only expatriate volunteer physiotherapists and towards the 1990s locals started going overseas for physiotherapy training.
“For the first time in history, non-government organisations and the Department of Health took the initiative to build the School of Physiotherapy in PNG in 2002 and the programme was offered at Divine Word University,” he said.
“Today, with the support of development partners, we have a physiotherapy school in the country with 57 first graduates of physiotherapists from DWU last year.
“Physiotherapy services are now established in all centres of PNG except Gulf and Western provinces, which we are still working on to deliver this service.”
Wilson said as a way forward they had established an association office and regional branches, held annual symposiums/conferences for the professional development of its members and would continue to affiliate with development partners.
He thanked association sponsors including Scholarships PNG Small Grants Programme (AusAID), Divine Word University, Brian Bell Group of Companies and Leprosy Mission International (PNG).
Wilson said now more Papua New Guineans had the opportunity to receive physiotherapy training in the country to help treat people with movement-related disorders.