Rehab Health commits to advance services
DAR ES SALAAM: A non-governmental organisation, Rehab Health, has expressed committed to advancing rehabilitation services so as to highlight the pivotal role of rehabilitation in the transformation of healthcare for Tanzanian communities.
The organisation made the commitment on Thursday during the closing of a three-day summit which also coincided with the 10th Tanzania Health Summit at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC).
The summit also aimed to bring about tangible change by enhancing the lives of individuals facing various medical conditions, injuries, disabilities, and mental health challenges.
Rehab Health Founder Ms Remal Shirima, said the rehabilitation summit highlights the significant unmet need for rehabilitation in Tanzania and underscores the importance of fortifying health systems to deliver rehabilitation services.
“The initiatives focus on raising awareness about available services in Tanzania, including Speech Therapy and Audiology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health and Prosthetists and Orthotists.” Ms Shirima said.
Remarking on the challenges faced in delivering effective rehabilitation services, Ms Shirima said they include shortage of skilled professionals, limited facility access, and the complexities of an aging population with increased health needs.
“Rehab Health serves as a beacon of hope, bridging these gaps and creating a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and networking within the rehabilitation landscape,” she said.
The Registrar Medical Council of Tanganyika Mr David Mnzava said the summit has become a catalyst for change in the rehabilitation field just as the government believes in the importance of rehabilitation in the health care system.
“It is clear evidence, on how much the government believes in the importance of rehabilitation professionals in the health care system, and taking the issue of rehabilitation seriously,” he said.
“Undoubtedly, rehab professionals are invaluable contributors to the wellbeing of our society. We should ensure that people who suffer from different disease conditions will receive appropriate treatment and support.”
Dr Isaac Maro from Afya Checkers said that further rehabilitation which is conducted and is given in a community setting is the most effective, as it involves therapists and patients as a whole.
He said many people with moderate or severe injuries will need ongoing and regular rehabilitation, to regain their full functions. Therefore, such holistic approaches are vital for individuals to transit into the maximum quality of life possible.
Dr Maro said it is time to work as a team in synergy with medical doctors and other professionals, to provide the most holistic form of care that is possible to the clients.
The Rehabilitation Summit is an annual event dedicated to advancing the field of rehabilitation across various sectors. It brings together professionals, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss, collaborate, and advocate for positive change in the rehabilitation industry.
Rehab Health is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to advancing the rehabilitation agenda and enhancing the lives of individuals with diverse medical conditions, injuries, disabilities, and mental health challenges.
Our core mission is to provide evidence-based therapy interventions tailored to individual needs, with a comprehensive range of services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and audiology, prosthetics and orthotics, and psychological counselling.
