Physiotherapy still an under acknowledged field
All over the country including in Sindh, the future of students completing the five-year Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) degree looks unwelcoming since there are few posts of physiotherapists in government hospitals while the number of degree-holders is very high.
For instance, Dr Hira Ali completed her physiotherapy education and is now working as a house officer at the Physiotherapy Unit of the Jinnah Hospital in Karachi.
"Unfortunately, even after completing a five-year degree, the government does not provide monthly stipends to physiotherapists. Even private hospitals offer a monthly salary of just Rs20,000 to Rs25,000. Furthermore, there is a severe shortage of house job vacancies and supervisors at hospitals. The number of DPT students is increasing but they do not get any jobs," said Dr Hira.
Seconding Dr Hira, Dr Muzaffar Ehsaan, another physiotherapist, revealed that he had to move to Canada after completing his studies since there were not enough job opportunities in Pakistan. "In countries abroad, after doctors and nurses, physiotherapists get the third best pay scale," claimed Dr Muzaffar.
"The field of physiotherapy was introduced in the country fifty years ago. However, the profession has not been recognized at the official level. The Jinnah PostGraduate Medical College was established in 1956. At that time this course was a 2-year diploma course, and students were given admission after matric. In 2007, another amendment was made in the field of physiotherapy, and the course was changed to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)," said Dr Lubna Kausar, a physiotherapist.
According to Dr Nausheen, Deputy Director at the Jinnah Hospital, the College of Physiotherapy was established in the hospital in 1956. "So far, more than 3,000 physiotherapists have completed their graduation. Doctor of Physical Therapy was a 4-year degree program, which has now been converted into a 5-year program," she revealed.
Dr Atiqur Rahman from Dow University revealed that their program started in 2012. "Every year, inter science pass students are admitted to 100 seats on the basis of merit. Physiotherapy rejuvenates the muscles and plays an effective role in alleviating joint and muscle pain before and after surgery. More than 1,200 physiotherapy doctors have passed out from the Physiotherapy College of Dow University," he revealed.
Dr Ayesha Naz, another physiotherapist explained that physiotherapy involved the use of different machines. "Physiotherapy is for patients with pain in different parts of the body, including those with sciatica, spinal cord injuries and fractures. After the bone is attached, physiotherapy is done to reactivate the joints of the affected part. Facilities in government hospitals are free but there are more patients and fewer machines," said Dr Ayesha, who further revealed that the fee for different types of physiotherapy at private hospitals ranged between Rs2,000 to Rs10,000 or more per day. Kakshashan, a 62-year-old woman suffering from sciatica revealed that she required physiotherapy twice a week. "Physiotherapy in private hospitals or at home is impossible for us due to financial constraints. That is why I go to the Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad. However, the rush of patients undergoing physiotherapy in the hospital is very high and there is often a shortage of machines," she lamented.
Sindh Physiotherapy Council's Chairman Dr Dabeer Ahmed revealed that for the first time in Sindh, in July 2023, after a notification issued by the Health Department, he was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the Sindh Physiotherapy Council. "The features of the Sindh Physiotherapy Council are being prepared. Although the council is not yet active in Sindh, work is on-going," said Dr Ahmed. Officials from the Sindh Health Department assured that the facilities at the physiotherapy departments of hospitals were being further expanded.