Physiotherapist Needed In Each PHC, Says Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan

Bhubaneswar: With physiotherapy emerging as a key component of treatment for various diseases, the Odisha government will consider appointment of a physiotherapist in each Public Health Centre (PHC) in the state.

This was sated by Minister for Law, Excise and Works Prithviraj Harichandan while addressing the valedictory function of the 1st International Conference at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

“Physiotherapy has become a vital part of treatment and it now focused on preventive rehabilitation offering people the option of treatment by undergoing this process,” Harichandan said.

The minister said physiotherapy was greatly needed for geriatric care as the number of senior citizens of the country was poised to rise in the coming years. “There is need for better awareness about preventive rehabilitation,” he said.

Pointing out that people across the state were suffering from brain stroke and other ailments in the post-COVID phase requiring medical attention, Harichandan said almost every village had 2-3 such cases.

“There is need for physiotherapists at the PHC level and I will pursue with the Health department for creation of at least one sanctioned post of physiotherapist in each PHC by 2027,” he said adding physiotherapists had played a stellar role in treating people when the world was hit by the COVID pandemic.

The function was also addressed by Babu Singh, MLA; Dr Sanjeev Jha, president of Indian Association of Physiotherapy (IAP); Dr Ruchi Varshney, president of IAP’s Women’s Cell; Prof Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare) of SOA; Dr Stitipragya Dalabehera, Head of Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital and Chairperson of the Organising Committee and Dr Bhubanananda Pani, secretary of IAP’s Utkal unit.

The two-day conference was jointly organised by the Physiotherapy department of IMS and SUM Hospital, Utkal Unit of IAP and Women’s Cell of IAP.