Students showcase innovative stalls, skits & practical demos
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Paraplegic Center Peshawar (PCP) and College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (CPMR) in collaboration with Khyber Medical University (KMU) celebrated World Occupational Therapy Day with great enthusiasm. A large number of students, teachers and rehabilitation experts attended the event and took keen interest in the activities. This year’s inspiring global theme was: “Occupational Therapy, Rising from the Ashes.”
Students had set up creative and interactive stalls on the lush lawns of the Paraplegic Center. The exhibits highlighted innovative approaches for wheelchair users and persons with disabilities (PWDs) focusing on therapeutic care, stress management and holistic rehabilitation.
The celebration continued at the CPMR Hall, where students impressed the audience with insightful sketches, emergency drills and practical demonstrations showcasing their clinical and creative abilities.
The concluding session was graced by Dr. Syed Mohammad Ilyas, CEO PCP (Chief Guest); Nazish Abdul Qadir, Assistant Professor Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Khyber Medical University (Guest of honour) and Dr. Aamir Zeb, Director Rehabilitation and Vice Principal CPMR who highlighted the significance of the day and the evolving role of occupational therapy in modern medicine.
In his keynote address, Dr. Syed Mohammad Ilyas emphasized that occupational therapy is a vital and honorable branch of modern medicine that restores patients not only to physical functionality but also to social and mental wellbeing. He appreciated the students’ professional skills, interdisciplinary approach and creativity reflected in their presentations and exhibits. He stressed the need for preventive measures against spinal cord injuries and accidents that often lead to permanent disability among the youth.
Dr. Ilyas Syed shared that Paraplegic Center Peshawar has successfully introduced occupational therapy alongside physiotherapy as part of its integrated rehabilitation model. While physiotherapy has become a widespread medical discipline, he noted, the demand for occupational therapy and speech-language therapy continues to grow rapidly.
Referring to global health standards, Dr. Ilyas Syed pointed out that at least 35 occupational therapists are required per 100,000 people, whereas Peshawar’s hospitals have only a handful. He cited the example of Lady Reading Hospital, where only two occupational therapists serve despite the need for hundreds. He urged the government to create occupational therapy positions across all major hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to strengthen the healthcare and rehabilitation system. He also highlighted the importance of occupational therapists in workplaces, saying their expertise can significantly improve staff productivity and creativity. Dr. Ilyas Syed advocated for the launch of a Master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy, terming it a pressing academic need of the province.
Prof Nazish Abdul Qadir affirmed that Khyber Medical University is seriously considering the initiation of a Master’s program in occupational therapy and assured that the medical fraternity would soon receive good news in this regard. She praised the Paraplegic Center Peshawar and CPMR as leading rehabilitation institutions in the province, promoting interdisciplinary healthcare training, research and innovation.
The ceremony concluded with cake-cutting and an awards distribution session, wherein the chief guest gave certificates and prizes to outstanding students, occupational therapists, and event organizers.
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