Bertha Gxowa Hospital staff benefit from physiotherapy awareness week campaign

Department of Health 2019/09/03 - 22:00



Vuyo Sabani

Germiston’s Bertha Gxowa District Hospital physiotherapy unit conducted awareness campaign for staff as part of Physiotherapy Back Week that is commemorated annually between 1-8 September to promote healthy living and educate the public on how to prevent and manage neck and back injuries.

 

The week-long awareness campaign was undertaken at various units of the hospital such as nursing, security, filling room, administration to mention a few.

During the awareness campaign staff was taken through the processes of what causes back pain, how to carry heavy items to avoid back pain and injuries, and how to seat properly.

“This week provides an opportunity to create awareness about the services we offer as the facility, besides the Back Week. There is general perception that physiotherapist are professionals who massages people. Being able to clear that perception to say there other things we do, for instance, we started a Fitness Clinic in 2015. The clinic is in line with the National Strategic Plan which is aimed at helping the health system to combat the prevalence of non-communicable diseases,” said  Physiotherapist Thando Nyembe.

Nyembe further added that the Fitness Clinic meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm-2pm for staff and patients.

The awareness campaign was well received by staff. “This workshop has helped quite a lot. I gained so much knowledge on things I didn’t know about back problems. It was informative. I have child at home who has spinal cord problems. I will now know how to manage the child better because of this session.” said Bongi Thango, a security guard at the hospital.

Thango concluded by commending physiotherapy staff for the awareness campaign and stated that she will further educate others in her family.

Thango’s sentiments were echoed by Administration Clerk Blessing Thete who said the training was informative and that he learnt a lot on how he should take care of his invertebrate and cortex. He also explained that he never knew that balance was so important and that stress and depression contributes to back pain. 

 

 

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