Art of Healing with Hands.

The curiosity of the crowd made me frightened. Lying on the road, I realized how inexpensive the human soul is. My mind was pondering and just before I had taken the last breath in, I found myself in Operation Theater. The most painful moment was that when I came to know that I can’t walk even after I had passed through the surgery. But before I felt my life going towards dead end, an angel in the form of a physiotherapist consoled me. After several exercise attempts, I managed to walk with a little support.

            I realized that single soft push provided by a physiotherapist can play very important role in bringing a person back to his normal life. Though we can’t deny the importance of chemical treatment. Still we must accept that every chemical treatment has side effects in one or the other way. On the other hand, physiotherapy is all about providing comfort with “Hands “.

            Serving humanity is the ultimate goal of every doctor, unfortunately, in Pakistan 10,000 people are served by just one physician on an average. The miserable condition of the poor puts question mark over the great organization who claim to work for them. It’s not the doctors who are responsible for this, infect a great number of MBBS, BDS & DPT are living in a dead. According to PMDC statistics, the total number of Doctor/ Dental surgeons, with basic degree, registered up to 31^st March 2014 is 1090, and those with specialized degree is 1088. On the other hand, each year approximately 3305 MBBS, 216 BDS 150 Doctors of physiotherapy, Doctors get admission to various government medical colleges.

            During the whole 5 year graduation in a medical college, a doctor is thought to crush his own feelings & to listen to the sufferings of others, but unfortunately when he finds that his degree is just giving him respect, but not sufficient earning, these determined doctors have to say good bye to their beloved country.

            According to HEC, 15000 doctors leave the country every year UK, USA & Middle East are the biggest importers of doctors. It is the dire need of the hour to refine our public health sector. When our physiotherapists are ready to serve the nation, our Dental surgeons are willing to work even in slum areas, our MBBS doctors and house officers are enthusiastic to work for 32 hours call, then it’s our duty to provide them the best facilities.

            In Jinnah Hospital, Lahore on daily basis 70-75 cases are recorded in physiotherapist department, these 70-75 people deserve to be served, but there are only 5-6 beds. There is only one post for physiotherapist in the hospital. Despite the constant demand of the head of the department, there are no steps taken to improve this situation. A physiotherapist just requires his skills & knowledge to increase the joint mobility. He has the ability to manage the pain of the patient using his hands as his instruments. A PT has a direct relation with his patient & can fully understand his problems thus he deals with the patient to modify his individual exercise program according to disease activity lend.

            Putting the above discussion in a nutshell, Physiotherapists are the real asset of our country. We must provide them best facilities in order to get their best output. We must regard them as builders & founders of a healthy & successful community.

Written by: Asma Rania ,  Doctor of physical therapy 1st year,
Allam Iqbal Medical College, Lahore.

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