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Cerebral Palsy - Back to News Menu
More health experts needed
By REBECCA TORR
BAHRAIN needs in excess of 500 physiotherapists over the next five years to meet rising demands, says a local medical professor.
Physiotherapists are in short supply in Bahrain and the Gulf, and because of sedentary lifestyles, modern living and sports development demand is increasing, Ahlia University President Professor Abdulla Yousif Al Hawaj told the GDN.
"According to our research and several sources in the next five years we will need at least 500 to 600 physiotherapists in Bahrain. In the GCC you could multiply this by 10."
Professor Al Hawaj said most of the physiotherapists in the GCC were expatriates and more nationals needed to be trained.
Physiotherapists, he said, were needed in sports clubs, hospitals, health centres, and special needs schools.
Professor Al Hawaj said Ahlia University, which was established in 2000, has been offering a Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy since 2003.
Ninety students, 30 in each year group, have enrolled in the course and the first group of 30 will graduate next year. A new programme in paramedics, he said, would also be launched at the university in September.
"There is a big shortage of paramedics in Bahrain and the GCC, and they haven't taken great steps to address this," said Professor Al Hawaj.
"We feel our university and other private institutes should co-operate to fill the gaps not filled by the government."
Professor Al Hawaj was speaking prior to a physiotherapy workshop held at the Mercure Hotel, Seef District.
Around 30 physiotherapists and academics attended the workshop, organised by Ahlia University, and conducted by Cairo University, College of Physiotherapy Professor Kamal Shukri.
The aim of workshop was to highlight the latest trends in teaching and developments in the field of physiotherapy.
"Road traffic accidents can cause Cerebral Palsy if the child is young, one, or two years old and suffers head injuries.
"In the GCC around 250,000 people have Cerebral Palsy, it's a very high number."
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term used to describe a number of disorders including motor disorders, which can affect balance, walking, and performing tasks such as writing, and dressing.
Professor Shukri said those with Cerebral Palsy needed a large rehabilitation team including occupational therapists, social workers, rehabilitation nurses, physicians, special educators and others.
"For children with mild or moderate Cerebral Palsy they can be rehabilitated and can go to mainstream schools, for severe cases they need permanent care units," he said.
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