physiotherapy shines at Mbarara hospital amid rising demand and patient success stories
Physiotherapy shines at Mbarara hospital amid rising demand and patient success stories
HEALTH
A visit to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) revealed the Physiotherapy Division as one of the busiest units, receiving between 30 and 50 patients daily.
Established in the 1980s by the late Godwin Kasaija Apuli, the unit has since grown into a cornerstone of patient rehabilitation, producing numerous success stories.
To mark World Physiotherapy Day, the hospital administration and physiotherapy team organized a mini-event, attended by physiotherapy staff, students, and the Hospital Public Relations Officer, Halson Kagure, who represented management.
Senior Physiotherapist Ms. Night Atwongyeire emphasized the ever-rising demand for physiotherapy services, which cater to both inpatients and outpatients. She shared the remarkable recovery story of 65-year-old Lubega Kakooza, a resident of Biharwe division in Mbarara.
After a fall in his bathroom left him in a helpless state, Kakooza was recommended for physiotherapy.
Initially hesitant, his family eventually enrolled him in treatment.
Six months later, he has regained mobility and even drives himself again.
Atwongyeire explained that physiotherapy plays a vital role in treating conditions that may not fully respond to medication or that require complementary treatment.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Acting Director, has repeatedly urged city authorities to regulate traditional bonesetters, many of whom mislead patients into abandoning hospital care. Kagure added that the hospital administration has intensified public engagement and sensitization campaigns to counter such practices.
He also pointed to the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act, 2019, which seeks to regulate traditional practitioners.
Kagure encouraged those with herbal or traditional knowledge to collaborate with research institutions like Mbarara University to refine their remedies under scientific guidance.
