Physio students celebrate World Physiotherapy Day with rehab patients
Forty students from the Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS) Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme recently spent a recreational day at the National Rehabilitation Medicine Hospital in Tamavua.
As part of the students’ efforts to give back to the community, the contingent helped in the clean-up of the premises, spent time with the patients and participated in recreational activities with them.
“After having lunch with the patients, we also donated some items to the rehabilitation gym at the facility,” said a representative of the College Physiotherapy Students Associate Committee.
“In particular, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 is to “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for ALL at ALL ages”. “Thus in commemoration of World Physiotherapy Day this year, we chose to celebrate it at the facility with the patients.
Head of Department Physiology and Physiotherapy, Venasio Ramabuke, said they were impressed with the students’ interest in marking the day by spending time in the community.
“Their participation in such activities is important because it highlights the fact that they are able to connect and value rehab patients as important members of the communities,” he said.
“Such exercises also develop their skills in organising activities and interacting with people which will be a core part of their professional engagement in the near future.” Kevin Kumar, who was also among participating students, said it was a great initiative and a well thought out plan by their student association.
“For us students, it was a delightful opportunity to help people living with disabilities to achieve inclusiveness and enjoyment. It also helped me to appreciate my field of study as it is a good feeling to bring about a change in someone’s life,” he said.