Bhubaneswar, Dec. 16: With physiotherapy emerging as a key component of
treatment for various diseases, the Odisha government will consider appointment
of a physiotherapist in each Public Health Centre (PHC) in the state, Minister for
Law, Excise and Works, Mr. Pruthiraj Harichandan has said.
“Physiotherapy has become a vital part of treatment and it now focused on
preventive rehabilitation offering people the option of treatment by undergoing this
process,” Mr. Harichandan said while addressing the valedictory function of the 1 st
International Conference at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA)
here on Sunday.
The minister said that physiotherapy was greatly needed for geriatric care as
the number of senior citizens of the country was poised to rise in the coming years.
“There is need for better awareness about preventive rehabilitation,” he said.
Pointing out that people across the state were suffering from brain stroke and
other ailments in the post-Covid phase requiring medical attention, Mr.
Harichandan said almost every village had 2-3 such cases.
“There is need for physiotherapists at the PHC level and I will pursue with the
health department for creation of at least one sanctioned post of physiotherapist in
each PHC by 2027,” he said adding physiotherapists had played a stellar role in
treating people when the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The valedictory program was also addressed by Mr. Babu Singh, MLA, Dr.
Sanjeev Jha, National President of Indian Association of Physiotherapy (IAP), Dr.
Ruchi Varshney, President of IAP’s Women’s Cell, Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean
(Students’ Welfare) of SOA, Dr. Stitipragya Dalabehera, Head of Department of
Physiotherapy, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital and Chairperson of
the Organising Committee and Dr. Bhubanananda Pani, Secretary of IAP’s Utkal unit.
The two-day conference was jointly organised by the Physiotherapy
department of IMS and SUM Hospital, Utkal Unit of IAP and Women’s Cell of IAP.
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