1 week Ago By Qatar Tribune
Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) joined the global community in marking the World Physiotherapy Day, on September 8. This year, the theme centred around Low Back Pain (LBP) and highlighted the vital role of physiotherapy in its management and prevention. Under the leadership of Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, deputy chief of rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, and Geriatrics, and lead of Corporate Rehabilitation Therapy Services at HMC; and Noora Al Mudekhla, assistant executive director for Clinical Services, Physiotherapy at HMC; a series of activities and events have been organised throughout September to raise awareness about the significance of physical therapy in enhancing the health and wellbeing of individuals across Qatar.
Events centre around both public and staff engagement. For the community, various HMC facilities will have public awareness booths to educate patients and visitors on prevention strategies, ergonomic practices and the appropriate times to seek physiotherapy services. The campaign will also aim to reach a wider audience with booths at various malls promoting the importance of physical activity in preventing and managing LBP.
HMC staff will also have the opportunity to engage in the health day with a seminar to stimulate discussion on the latest advancements in physiotherapy with a focus on LBP as well as an educational event to learn about the tools necessary to address and manage their own LBP which has been organized by HMC’s Wellness Department. Social media will also play a vital role in spreading awareness about LBP, its causes, prevention techniques and the role of physiotherapy in its management. The campaign aims to reach a broad audience across Qatar, encouraging proactive health measures and informing the public about available physiotherapy services.
LBP is recognised globally as the leading cause of disability affecting individuals of all ages, particularly those of working age. The societal and economic burdens are significant with LBP contributing to increased absenteeism, decreased productivity and early retirement. Research consistently supports the use of non-pharmacological conservative interventions including physiotherapy as the first line of care for LBP.
In Qatar, the prevalence of LBP mirrors global trends. Within HMC’s Physiotherapy Outpatient Departments (OPDs), 25-30% of referrals are for LBP management. Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, who is also a panel member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Low Back Pain Guideline Committee shared, “At HMC, we believe that physical therapy plays a vital role in helping individuals live healthier, more active lives.
This World Physiotherapy Day, we aim to emphasise the importance of exercise in reducing LBP and its potential to prevent further complications and improve patient outcomes.” Noora Al Mudekhla, assistant executive director for Clinical Services, Physiotherapy at HMC, added, “Physiotherapists at HMC work across a multitude of clinical settings from neonatal intensive care units to long-term care rehabilitation facilities. In 2023 alone, our physiotherapy department provided over 445,000 sessions to 61,000 patients, 32,000 as outpatients and 29,000 as inpatients.
Of these, approximately 30 percent were treated for LBP, highlighting the significant impact of this condition on our community.” HMC is committed to continuing its efforts to enhance the wellbeing of the population through comprehensive physiotherapy services. In recognition of World Physiotherapy Day, we encourage everyone to understand the value of physiotherapy in managing low back pain and improving their overall quality of life.
Copy 09/09/2024 10.
