Today, September 8th, is World Physical Therapy Day – a day for physical therapists from all over the world to raise awareness about the crucial contribution the profession makes to keeping people well, mobile and independent.
At HVO, our Physical Therapy Program sends volunteers around the world – from Bhutan to Bolivia – to improve the quality and availability of rehabilitation services by working with local physical therapy students and providers. Their work not only provides essential education, but also builds a global community that sustains physical therapy providers through professional support and continued education. A report from a recent volunteer to HVO’s physical therapy project in Bhutan demonstrates the impact of this work:
I commented to [the physiotherapist] I was mentoring that he is so skilled that I was not able to teach him anything. “No ma’am”, he said, “You have taught me how to mobilize patients who are on ventilators and that is something I didn’t know we could do. If I learn one thing like this from each volunteer then it is significant.” …. This is particularly important in a place with few ICU beds and a high risk for ventilator-acquired pneumonia. At that moment, I realized what my contribution had been.
The work of HVO volunteers empowers health workers, strengthens health systems, and saves lives. On World Physical Therapy Day, we celebrate the work of our volunteers and the current and future physical therapists they work with around the world.
Find out how you can volunteer and/or support HVO’s physical therapy program by visiting our Get Involved page.