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The
Specialty groups
The
World Physiotherapy member since
1999
Year members reported
2022
Number of physiotherapist members
114
Contact details
Key contacts
Gift Msowoya
Primary contact
[email protected]Anderson Mughogho
Secretary general
[email protected]Prince Makupe
President
[email protected]
Malawi: a profile of the profession in 2022
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2022Professional titles protected by law
About Physiotherapy Association of Malawi and the physiotherapy profession in Malawi
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
177 (estimated)
0.09
Per 10,000 population
% female
58%
In this country/territory
In this region
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
114
% female
58%
In this MO
In MOs in this region
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Bachelors degree
Equivalent fulltime years
5
Number of programmes
1
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
www.medcol.mw
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?
From now on October, 2022, Physiotherapists must register with the Physiotherapy Association of Malawi and the Medical Council of Malawi to practice in the country. Previously, members were not required to register with the Association in order to practice.
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation
Standards of practice
The World Physiotherapy standard
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?
In part
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
If physiotherapy services sought for will be paid for by some medical schemes and/or they need a medical report
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Educators in physiotherapy
Mental health
Orthopaedics/manual therapy
Oncology/palliative care and HIV
Private practitioners
Profile of the profession in this region
A global profile of the profession is also available.
Accessible version of data
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Benin
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
115 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.2 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
61% (60-80%)
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?
0.4 (<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?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
50% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
80% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.1 (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 member organisation specific standard
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?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Congo (Democratic Republic)
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
345 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.14 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
77% (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?
0.32 (<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?
38 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.37 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
66% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
65% (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?
50 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.05 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
46% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
44% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.21 (<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?
120 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
54% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
67% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.47 (<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?
80 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
35% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
32% (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?
205 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.38 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
35% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
33% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.91 (<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, 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?
94 (<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?
60% (40-60%)
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?
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?
No
Malawi
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
114 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
59% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
59% (40-60%)
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?
37 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.79 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
59% (40-60%)
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?
3.95 (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, 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
Morocco
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
513 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.07 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
68% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
70% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.54 (<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?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
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
Namibia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
132 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.56 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
83% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
79% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.93 (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?
60 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.03 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
25% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
23% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.4 (<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?
799 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.05 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
38% (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?
0.47 (<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?
75 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.3 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
48% (40-60%)
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?
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?
80 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
27% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Masters degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.29 (<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
South Africa
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
3,789 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.43 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
91% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
86% (>80%)
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
Tanzania
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
89 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
69% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.49 (<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?
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
Togo
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
85 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.47 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
18% (<20%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
9% (<20%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.59 (<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?
355 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
16% (<20%)
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?
48 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.16 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
69% (60-80%)
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?
1.06 (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?
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?
13 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.27 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
69% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
63% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.35 (<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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