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The Namibian Society of
Year established
1987
World Physiotherapy member since
1995
Year members reported
2021
Number of physiotherapist members
125
Contact details
+264 61 307889
Key contacts
Kerstin Muesler
Primary contact
[email protected]Christine Nashenda
President
[email protected]
Namibia: a profile of the profession in 2021
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2021Professional titles protected by law
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
About Namibian Society of Physiotherapy and the physiotherapy profession in Namibia
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
131 (estimated)
0.54
Per 10,000 population
% female
82%
In this country/territory
59%
In this region
62%
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
125
% female
83%
In this MO
70%
In MOs in this region
59%
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Bachelors degree
Equivalent fulltime years
4
Number of programmes
1
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
http://www.unam.edu.na/school-of-medicine/undergraduate-qualifications/physiotherap
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?
Physiotherapists must apply for registration with the Allied Health Professions Council of Namibia. The form is available at: www.namibiaphysio.com or from the Allied Health Professions Council of Namibia at: [email protected]
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
Ministry of Health or another government department
Standards of practice
The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
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 full
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
For all treatment within public services a referral from a medical doctor is required In private practice certain health insurance schemes require a referral from a medical doctor
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Private practitioners
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events
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?
97 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.17 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
63% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
49% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.44 (<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?
150 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.16 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
57% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.19 (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?
300 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.14 (<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?
No
Eswatini
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
38 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.52 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
71% (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?
280 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
37% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
33% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.18 (<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?
100 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
43% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
43% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.34 (<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?
75 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
36% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
34% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.2 (<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?
186 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.39 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
39% (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?
0.88 (<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?
89 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
54% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
55% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.19 (<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?
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?
52% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.28 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
The Medical Council of Malawi regulates Physiotherapy practice (Other)
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
Mali
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
82 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
88% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
48% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Masters degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.26 (<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?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Mauritius
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
36 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.72 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
56% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
62% (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?
500 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.11 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60% (40-60%)
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?
0.56 (<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?
125 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.54 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
83% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
82% (>80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
2.04 (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?
61 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.04 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
25% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
22% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.22 (<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?
0.13 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
35% (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?
0.41 (<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?
No
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?
0.33 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
29% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
50% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.41 (<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?
102 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
39% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
37% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.32 (<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?
4,089 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.45 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
89% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
85% (>80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.69 (<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?
Yes
Sudan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
69 (<100)
Tanzania
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
89 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
42% (40-60%)
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?
0.44 (<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?
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?
83 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.44 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
30% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
12% (<20%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.63 (<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?
200 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
30% (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?
0.35 (<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?
32 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.86 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
63% (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?
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?
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?
65 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.24 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
66% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
55% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
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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