Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, thanked physiotherapists for the essential role they played during the pandemic in his keynote address at the opening session for World Physiotherapy Congress 2021 online on 9 April 2021.
He shared his “sincere gratitude” for the critical role physiotherapists had played, and were continuing to play, in intensive care settings and vaccination programmes, and providing rehabilitation for people living with Long Covid.
Dr Tedros said: ”One in three people will need rehabilitation at some point in their life. Too often these needs go unmet. As we build back better from the pandemic, it is critical that rehabilitation is recognised as the key to living a long, healthy life.”
World Physiotherapy chief executive officer Jonathon Kruger said: “The opening session was a celebration of all that’s great in the global physiotherapy community. The presentations gave us all an opportunity to reflect on the past and look forward to how we’re growing and developing.
“In the international year of health and care workers, the contribution of physiotherapists as essential workers needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.
“It’s been a challenging year for physiotherapists, but congress offers a chance for the global profession to connect and share knowledge and experiences.”
The audience heard from a number of speakers, including:
- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general
- Emma Stokes, World Physiotherapy president
- Shane Patman, chair, World Physiotherapy congress programme committee
- Jonathon Kruger, World Physiotherapy chief executive officer
More than 2,000 people, from 122 countries/territories, have registered to take part for congress, and more than 1,200 people watched the opening session live.
