The Sindh government’s Board of Technical Education has certified a unique programme that gives physical therapists the chance to specialise in the rehabilitation of children living with birth defects, complex injuries and developmental disorders.
To date, the focus of academic and training programmes in the country has been on adults which means that the majority of degree-holding therapists lack the specialised skills needed to rehabilitate children. This is set to change with the certi
Faculty, students and graduates of the programme gather for a group photo.
fication of the Paediatric Physical Therapy (PPT) training and residency programme, developed by Dr Zehra Habib Hasan*, an assistant professor in the department of paediatrics and child health at AKU.
The PPT programme aims to bridge the prevailing skills gap and to train students in the distinct approach needed to provide competent and compassionate care to children. The programme has now graduated five students who are putting in place customised treatment plans in institutions caring for vulnerable children such as the Karachi Down Syndrome
Programme and the Al Umeed Rehabilitation Centre for Cerebral Palsy (
AURA).
Omema Zamir, a graduate of the PPT programme who is currently working at AKU’s teaching hospital, said: “Everyone I met used to
discourage me from pursuing a career in paediatric physical therapy.
“I’m so glad that I didn’t listen to them as I would have never experienced how wonderful it feels when a child overcomes fear and takes the first steps towards recovery. It’s always been my dream to help children experience a fuller life and this programme has helped me realise that ambition.”
After preparing the curriculum for the one-year programme, Dr Habib sought the guidance of colleagues at her alma mater,
Drexel, Margaret O’Neil, who is developing a similar programme at Colombia University and
Maria Benedetto, director of the paediatric physical therapy and residency programme at Drexel University. Impressed by her initiative, Dr Habib’s colleagues told her that the curriculum was of international standard.
“They were thrilled by the possibilities that such a unique programme would open up,” Dr Habib said. “It’s so gratifying to know that child physical therapists have the chance to pursue their passion and that those who have only gained informal, on-the-job training in the field now have the option of pursuing a certified programme.”
The Paediatric Physical Therapy (PPT) training and residency programme was launched in April 2017 and accepts students holding an undergraduate degree in physiotherapy (DPT) who have at least three months of clinical experience.
*Dr Zehra Habib holds a PhD in Developmental Disabilities in Paediatric Rehabilitation from Drexel University.
