World Physiotherapy Day Physiotherapists gather in support of healthy ageing and preventing falls

Physiotherapist Sameera Chandimal Ponsuge (Centre) receiving a token of recognition from Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at a workshop for Physiotherapists which was held on September 8 (Monday) at the Colombo National Hospital lecture Hall. Also in the picture are Iranga Aluthge, President of the Government Physiotherapists Officers’ Association and Jaliya Uduwella, the Superintendent Physiotherapist Lady Ridgeway Hospital and the President of the College of Physiotherapists (Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana)

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Minister of Health and Mass Media, addressing the gathering at the workshop conducted for Physiotherapists

By Manjula D. Phillips  

With the aim of updating the knowledge for Physiotherapists, a scientific session and a workshop were held on September 8 (Monday) at the Colombo National Hospital lecture Hall. This year the National event was organised jointly by the College of Physiotherapists and the Government Physiotherapists Officers Association to coincide with the World Physiotherapy Day which also fell on September 08.

The event has been organised since 1997 since the World Confederation of Physical therapy declared September 08 as International Physiotherapy Day. This time the theme for International Physiotherapy Day was ‘the role of physiotherapy and physical activity in healthy ageing’, with a focus on preventing frailty and falls. Physiotherapists across the country attended the session. Among the invitees were Jaliya Uduwella, the Superintendent Physiotherapist Lady Ridgeway Hospital and the President of the College of Physiotherapists, Dr. Ruckshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital Colombo, Dr. Pradeep Wijesinghe, Acting Director of the National Hospital Colombo.
Also present at the occasion was Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media.
Speaking at the session Dr. Wijesinghe said that he himself has benefitted from the Physiotherapy and it can offer treatment at a level where surgery and chemicals cannot reach. He recalled how he was informed that his neck had to be operated due to an injury and how he has been recovering with the aid of Physiotherapy. He said that physiotherapy had prevented an operation to his neck. He thanked all the attendees at the workshop and the physiotherapists for the guidance that he had received from them to stay active amidst his busy daily schedule.       
“Our goal is to become be on par with Singapore and South Korea when it comes to Universal Health Coverage. We hope to establish health and wellness centers across the country to get close to the people especially those who older than 60 years. We believe we have to get closer to the people and have to uplift their life standards.  In future Physiotherapists Officers will have an immense task ahead of them. This event is important as we have a clear path now. We have been working to produce more Physiotherapists in the country,” Dr. Jayatissa said.
Special recognition was given to Physiotherapist Sameera Chandimal Ponsuge who has created new creative equipment for disabled individuals belonging to all age groups. Sameera had won the best businessman award in Sri Lanka for his achievements recently. He himself has been creating and designing personalised aids for the disabled. Ponsuge’s efforts were highly appreciated by the Minister. The minister gave the assurances that Ponsuge would be provided with the necessary sponsorships to expand his enterprises in the future. Consultant Geriatricians Dr. Sithira Seneviratne and Dr. Soumya Darshani, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Nanda K. Amarasinghe and Ms Dinithi Perera delivered the lectures and conducted the workshop for the Physiotherapy Officers who were present.