"Health Rehabilitation": Physical Therapy as a Key Partner in Preventing Chronic Diseases

Dr. Jamal Jamal, Director of the Physical Medicine and Health Rehabilitation Hospital, emphasized the critical role played by physical therapy and physical activity within the healthcare system. He noted that promoting a culture of prevention and engaging in regular physical activity contribute to reducing risk factors associated with many chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Women’s Physical Therapy Department’s celebration of World Physical Therapy Day under the theme “The Role of Physical Therapy and Physical Activity in Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke,” Jamal stated that the country’s physical therapy and health rehabilitation services have witnessed significant progress in recent years. This development is attributed to the Ministry of Health’s focus on enhancing the healthcare system, providing modern equipment and technologies, supporting physical therapy and rehabilitation departments and centers with specialized medical and technical staff, and expanding the therapeutic and rehabilitation services and programs offered to patients.

For her part, Nafisa Kamal, Head of the Women’s Physical Therapy Department, affirmed that physical therapy is no longer limited to the rehabilitation phase following injuries or surgeries, but has become a vital component in prevention and health promotion.

She pointed out that global statistics reflect the growing need for rehabilitation services, noting that the World Health Organization indicates that approximately 2.4 billion people worldwide live with conditions that could benefit from rehabilitation.