World Occupational Therapy Day was observed on October 27. This year the theme of the day was: United in Diversity.
Occupational therapists help disabled people of all ages to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily life and work environment. They work with individuals who are mentally, physically, developmentally, socially or emotionally disable.
In Bangladesh, occupational therapy was first introduced in 1973 by an American orthopedic surgeon Prof. R.J. Garst. He started the first school for occupational therapy in Bangladesh. In 1976, there were in the country only three occupational therapists with graduation degree. There was no occupational therapy course in Bangladesh for many years. In 1995, the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) introduced an occupational therapy course. Now there are in the country 143 occupational therapists, with graduation degree.
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession the goal of which is to help disabled people to achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in all aspects of their life. Occupational therapists use a holistic approach to assess and retrain skills to enhance a person's ability to participate and perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) within their home environment and community.
In Bangladesh, occupational therapists have a lot to do to rehabilitate mentally, physically, developmentally, socially or emotionally disable people. There is limited scope of work because of lack awareness.
A patient needs multidisciplinary team (doctors or other health professionals who work for patients improvement) support to recover from his/her illness and work independently. Without occupational therapy it is not possible to rehabilitate the patient. So, the government should take steps to recruit qualified occupational therapists in government hospitals all over the country.
The writer is Clinical Occupational Therapist, CRP, Mirpur, Dhaka.
rabeya1988@gmail.com