New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that physiotherapists can play a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of the injured during times of disasters such as the recent Turkiye-Syria earthquake. He stressed making the facility of telemedicine widely available for people who are affected by disasters so that they are able to get help quickly.
In a virtual address to the Indian Association of Physiotherapist National Conference in Ahmedabad today, PM Modi spoke about the role of physiotherapists in strengthening India's healthcare system. He said physiotherapists emerge as a symbol of hope, resilience, and recovery for people.
Physiotherapists can play a pivotal role in the recovery of injured after massive disasters, PM Modi said, as per news agency ANI.
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In reference to earthquake-hit Turkiye and Syria, he said, "All of you should also develop methods of consulting through video. Just like in Turkiye which has been hit by a large earthquake, a large number of physiotherapists are needed after such a disaster. In such a situation, you can help a lot through mobiles".
The Prime Minister delivered the address on the occasion of World Physiotherapist Day to laud the efforts of all physiotherapists who play a key role in safeguarding people's health.
He emphasised that his government will continue its efforts to popularise and further modernise physiotherapy.
"Earlier, there used to be family doctors, now there are family physiotherapists also. I urge you all to educate people about the right exercise, the right posture and the right habits for keeping themselves fit. Physiotherapists emerge as a symbol of hope, resilience and recovery for people. physiotherapists," he said, as quoted by by ANI.
PM Modi mentioned that with the rising population of elderly, their healthcare has become more challenging. He said that academic papers and presentations associated with physiotherapists will prove useful to the whole world today.
This will help display the skills of Indian physiotherapists to the world, the Prime Minister emphasised.
He said, "The best physiotherapist is the one who is not needed by the patient again and again. Your goal is to make people self-reliant. Today, when the country is moving towards self-reliance, you can understand why this is necessary."
According to the Prime Minister, if physiotherapy combines with Yoga the efficiency of the practise for a person increases manifold. "It is my experience that if a physiotherapist also knows Yoga his power becomes manifold. If you know Yoga along with physiotherapy, then your efficiency will increase a lot," he said.
He mentioned that Khelo India Movement and Fit India movement have progressed in India. He asked citizens to adopt the right approach toward fitness urging experts to encourage it through articles and lectures and my youth can do it through 'reels'.