World Physiotherapy representatives attended a recent stakeholder meeting in Kyrgyzstan to explore opportunities to develop consensus around university programmes for physiotherapist education.
The meeting took place, 14-15 April 2025, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and included representatives from international and local organisations and institutions, including:
- Serve. Teach. Learn. Innovate. (STLI)
- World Physiotherapy
- World Federation of Occupational Therapists
- UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan
- Member of parliament
- Minister of health
- Ministries of health, education, and social welfare
- Osh State University, southern Kyrgyzstan
- Kyrgyz State Medical Academy and Kyrgyz State University, Bishkek
- Local NGOs and parents’ groups
- Private clinics
- Directors and senior staff from government rehabilitation centres
- Senior neurologists
Sidy Dieye, World Physiotherapy chief executive officer, said: “This stakeholder meeting represents a critical step toward strengthening rehabilitation education and clinical capacity in Kyrgyzstan. In alignment with the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 framework, it highlights the importance of building a well-trained, competent workforce to meet growing rehabilitation needs. By fostering collaboration between national institutions and global experts, we are helping develop robust education systems and clinical training pathways that will ensure high-quality rehabilitation services are available across the country.
“We are grateful for the contribution of our experts – Nihad Almasri, Ann Nicholson, and Paolo Sanzo.”
Bringing the stakeholders together was key to achieving consensus on the development of local university programmes, designed to align with World Physiotherapy and WFOT international standards.
Primary outcomes included the development of a roadmap for the implementation of the university programmes and establishing a working group to liaise with government and institutions on defining the standards and scope of practice for physiotherapy professionals.
Attendees at the meeting also held initial discussions to develop a workforce analysis of rehabilitation workers in Kyrgyzstan to assist with planning cohort size and budget needs required to support the employment of newly graduated professionals and curriculum development.
