World Physical Therapy Day is September 8th. The day is an opportunity 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.
Spotlight country: Malawi, a country in southeast Africa. It is one of the world’s least developed countries with a population of almost 17,000,000! According the World Confederation of Physical Therapy there is only approximately 92 Physical Therapists to serve this population and even fewer Orthopedic Surgeons (statistic from 2006: Malawi has 266 doctors, of whom only nine are orthopaedic surgeons).
Dennis Langton, PT and Brian Langton, SPT recently returned from a service mission with a group from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions to Malawi, Africa. Students in the Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs at Rocky Mountain U worked together to build a school and participated in clinical experiences at a local hospital. The photo below shows without words the apparent need there is!
Great work Dennis, Bryan and all who participated from Rocky Mountain UoHP! Thank you for dedicating your time and hard work! Malawi is a better place today because of each of you!
