WCPT-AWP & IAP International Physical Therapy Congress to give a major boost to physiotherapy in India
By Flynn Remedios in Mumbai
The WCPT-AWP & IAP Congress 2009 scheduled to be held from 22nd to 25th January’09 at the Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai, will give a major boost to physiotherapy practice in India, says Prof D H Dastoor, organizing secretary of the event. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, she said, “This international event will bring together experts from 23 member countries of the Asia West Pacific (AWP) region of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) on a common platform who will interact with their Indian counterparts for about six days and share their invaluable knowledge with them, giving a major fillip to this particular branch of medical practice in India.”
With the growing incidence of Lifestyle-related diseases in Metros and even in smaller towns in India – thanks to long working hours, incorrect diet, bad road and commuting conditions, performance anxiety both at the workplace and at home and the peer pressure to keep up with the neighbourhood in terms of standard of living, the practice of physiotherapy and the need for well-trained and experienced physios or PTs has become the need of the hour.
While the main event is from 22nd to 25th, there are two days of pre and post event workshops, which will include practical demonstration of technique and latest stage-of-the-art equipment by international experts. A Trade Exhibition open to members of the medical fraternity by invitation only will showcase the latest gadgetry and apparatus, says Dr Dastoor.
Besides Indian experts like Dr Ali Irani – President of the IAP (and former Physiotherapist of the Indian Cricket Team), Dr D H Dastoor – Organising Secretary, Dr Savita Ravindra, chairperson - AWP Region, other international experts will include Dr Margot Skinner, Dr Marilyn Moffat – President WCPT, Dr Michael Shacklock, Dr Sara Meeks and Dr Cathy Hazzard, besides many others.
This is the 4th Asia-West Pacific (AWP) Regional Conference of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) conducted with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists. This significant and path-breaking four-day event will be inaugurated by WCPT President Dr Marilyn Moffat, an eminent expert herself in the field of physical therapy. Many other leading luminaries from the realm of physiotherapy will be present and will conduct workshops and make presentations during this event, said Dr Dastoor.
About a thousand national and international experts and delegates from the Asia West Pacific region as well as from the United States of America will attend this Congress. Another thousand-plus Indian medical and physiotherapy students are expected to participate in the lectures and workshops – and will get a unique opportunity to interact with the best brains in the world on this subject.
