Online Physical Therapy Connections in Rwanda

We are pleased to report that the physical therapy website in Rwanda is up and running! Thanks to your contributions, the physical therapists were able to purchase a laptop, printer, and digital camera (to photograph therapists demonstrating techniques) and the website was launched.

A local nonprofit organization has provided office space at minimal cost, along with access to their conference room so in-service training can be provided to therapists located near Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.

Courses in technical skills, such as Neuro-Developmental Therapy and Spinal Rehabilitation (“Management of Disc Injuries” being the most recent course) have been well-received and have been granted continuing education credit through Rwanda’s Allied Health Professionals’ Council. All courses that have been provided on-site are now available online, so therapists across the country have access to the materials and can view techniques being taught. To date, 84 physical therapists have registered online, and 58 have begun taking the online courses.

In remote areas of Rwanda, the ability to access continuing education courses and raise awareness of physical therapy as a profession will have an enormous impact. The World Health Organization has designated rehabilitation as a vital component in health care, as most everyone will require some form of physical therapy across the lifespan. Rehabilitation care covers a wide range of services and, at some point in life, most everyone will need access to care – whether for congenital issues, trauma-related injuries, or conditions related to aging or non-communicable diseases.

Thank you for your help in making such care possible in Rwanda!