The vote took place on 9 May 2019, the second day of WCPT’s General Meeting at the Starling Hotel Geneva, Switzerland.
Other business at the General Meeting included:
- approval of a motion on climate change proposed by the Japanese Physical Therapy Association
- approval of a policy statement on diversity and inclusion
- endorsement of ethical principles of health care in times of armed conflict and other emergencies
- confirmation of awards recognising the contribution of individual physical therapists to the global profession and to WCPT
- election of President, Vice President, Regional Board members.
Three new WCPT subgroups were also approved:
- International Organisation of Aquatic Physical Therapists (IOAPT)
- International Federation of Physical Therapists working in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (IFPTOHE)
- International Physical Therapy for HIV/AIDS, Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Care (IPT-HOPE).
Theo Ruitenbeek, IPT-HOPE board member, said: ‘We are grateful and proud to be acknowledged and recognised by WCPT member organisations at the General Meeting. Our mission is to advance physical therapy management and prevention for people affected by oncology, palliative care, and HIV/AIDS throughout the world and across cultural groups.
‘Now we can spread out this mission among all WCPT’s member organisations. We hope WCPT’s member organisations will join us in this important area of work and help make a difference to people’s lives.’