Physiotherapist education and training have been central to World Physiotherapy’s latest development programme activities in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Liberia has only one practicing physiotherapist and the visit focused on fostering bilateral cooperation in physiotherapy education and service delivery. During the visit, discussions took place with representatives of health organisations, academic institutions, World Health Organization, and regulatory bodies. The discussions explored promoting academic and technical exchanges at various levels of physiotherapy education and advocating for the integration of physiotherapy services into national healthcare systems.
Sidy Dieye, World Physiotherapy’s head of programmes and development, said: “The visit to Sierra Leone and Liberia is a critical step towards establishing sustainable physiotherapy services in both countries and, at a later stage, in Guinea. By concentrating on education, professional development, advocacy, and cross-border collaboration, World Physiotherapy and its partners are developing a project document that aims to lay the foundation for a transformative future in rehabilitation services in Sierra Leone and Liberia.”
In Sierra Leone graduates from Following the graduation of the first cohort to receive a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in physiotherapy in Sierra Leone in November 2023, these graduates were introduced to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health in a ceremony on 15 January 2024, in Freetown.
The ceremony was attended by Sierra Leone’s chief medical officer, his deputies, directors of non-communicable diseases and human resources, and representatives of health and educational bodies, including World Hope International, the Tonkolili District College of Health Sciences in Masanga, Sierra Leone Physiotherapy Association, and the Guinea physiotherapy association.
Sidy also attended the ceremony to advocate for ongoing government support for physiotherapy and the government announced its commitment to employ the entire cohort of graduates in key hospitals throughout Sierra Leone.
The visit aimed to explore avenues for the continued support and expansion of the entry level physiotherapist programme, including the introduction of a master’s degree at the Tonkolili District College of Health Sciences.
