Africa region
Africa region has physiotherapy associations from 27 countries/territories
Union des Kinésithérapeutes du Congo/Congo Physical Therapists Union has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 2015 and is part of our Africa region.
Congo Physical Therapists Union
Union des Kinesitherapeutes du CongoCongo (Democratic Republic)Africa
Year established
1975
World Physiotherapy member since
2015
Year members reported
2023
Number of physiotherapist members
312
Contact details
[email protected]
(243) 840 020 625
Key contacts
Pamphyle Abedi Mukutenga
Primary contact
[email protected]Pamphyle Abedi Mukutenga
Secretary General
[email protected]Félicité Bofosa Itombi Lokala
President
Congo (Democratic Republic): a profile of the profession in 2023
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2023Professional titles protected by law
Kinésithérapeute
About Congo Physical Therapists Union and the physiotherapy profession in Congo (Democratic Republic)
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
1,250 (estimated)
0.13
Per 10,000 population
% female
66%
In this country/territory
62%
In this region
63%
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
312
% female
77%
In this MO
70%
In MOs in this region
58%
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Diploma
Equivalent fulltime years
3
Number of programmes
6
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
Not avalaible
Regulation
* = Continuing Professional Development
Registration required to practice
CPD* required for re-registration
CPD* required for membership
What is required to practice in the country/territory?
Please refer to Congo Physical Therapists Union for more information about regulation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
Ministry of Health or another government department
Standards of practice
Education for autonomous practice
All programmes
Legislation supports private practice
Physiotherapists are permitted to
Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners
Assess patients/clients
Make a diagnosis
Offer preventative advice/services
Refer to other specialists/services
Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)
Provide telehealth services
Direct access
*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional
Direct access* permitted?
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Will this be reimbursed?
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?
Setting (eg. outpatient, private practice, school setting, prevention and wellness, etc)
Population/health condition (eg. musculoskeletal, non-complex, etc)
Time (eg. medical referral required if treatment is needed beyond 30 or 60 days)
Training (eg. certification, academic training, or CPD to demonstrate skill necessary to treat patients without referral from a medial doctor)
Other
No one
Profile of the profession in this region
A global profile of the profession is also available.
Accessible version of data
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Angola
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
2,470 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.69 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
75% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
75% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.7 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Member organisation
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Benin
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
108 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.19 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
56% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
52% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.37 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Public only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Cameroon
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.11 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
65% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
53% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.36 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Congo (Democratic Republic)
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
312 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.13 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
78% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
67% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.3 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Eswatini
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
32 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.28 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
69% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
68% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ethiopia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
78 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.06 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
47% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
45% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.2 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ghana
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
135 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
58% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
58% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.45 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ivory Coast
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
90 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
33% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
35% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.18 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Kenya
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
243 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.4 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
42% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
49% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.02 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Madagascar
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
95 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
53% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
55% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.17 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Malawi
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
240 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
21% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
22% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.25 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Mauritius
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
41 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.71 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
59% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
56% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
3.96 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Namibia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
137 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.57 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
73% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
68% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.95 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Niger
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
62 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.03 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
26% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
29% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.38 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Nigeria
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
790 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.06 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.48 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Rwanda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
101 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.3 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
30% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
52% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.36 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Senegal
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
86 (<100)
Sierra Leone
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
33 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.04 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
58% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
58% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.16 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
South Africa
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
3,373 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.47 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
87% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.67 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Sudan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
69 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.77 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
77% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
93% (>80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.49 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Togo
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
95 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.51 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
29% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
16% (<20%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.57 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Uganda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
255 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.1 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
34% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
49% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.42 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Zambia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
93 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.6 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
72% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
65% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.5 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Zimbabwe
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
7 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.26 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
71% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
51% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.31 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
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