Physiotherapy in Bangladesh
After the liberation in 1971, the National Orthopedic Hospital was established for the treatment and rehabilitation of the war victims. Instant demand of physiotherapy service leaded to start of physiotherapy course in 1973. Unfortunately the course was stopped after two groups of students trained to degree level. Only few qualified Physiotherapists stayed in Bangladesh and other left. In 1994 Physiotherapy graduation course was started again under the medicine faculty of the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) and National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR). Afterwards the graduation course was also introduced in People's University of Bangladesh ,Gono Bishwabiddalya (GB), Bangladesh Medical College (BMC) and State College of health sciences, IHT Dhaka and Rajshahi, SAIC institute of Medical sciences and Technology and Jashore university of Science and Technology. As the qualified physiotherapists started their professional practice they found that malpractice had already became a threat and the maintaining standard of physiotherapy education was another bigger issue. Besides, there was no post graduation training, continuous professional development training, and awareness. Qualified therapists did not get job opportunity or chance of practice due to lack of awareness to the people about the new profession. Clients could not judge properly to receive proper treatment and advice for their physical conditions such as disease and disability due to lack of awareness. Even patient was not referred to Physiotherapists by other health care professionals. The emergent need of preventing malpractice and ensuring quality of standard education demanded the existence of a national physiotherapy organization. So, Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association (BPA) was formed in 2001 in recognition of Bangladesh Government. Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association (BPA) got the provisional membership of World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) in 2006. Finally, it awarded full membership of WCPT in June, 2007 through the WCPT congress at Vancouver , Canada.
Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association is a non-profitable, voluntary national association of Bangladesh Physiotherapists registered from the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. BPA established at 2001, registered at 2002 and recognized as Member organization of World confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) at 2007 in Canada. BPA is the only professional association having both national and international aiming towards professional’s establishment, Dignity and development of Physiotherapy profession in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association (BPA) was established in 2001 because of the emerging needs of preserve the professional’s interest, to control and improve the quality of the profession, to regulate and serve the proper treatment system throughout the country also contribution with international perspective. In 2002, association was registered from the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. In 2007, the association became a proud member of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT), an organization for physiotherapy professionals approved by the World Health Organization. At present, the association is conducting nation-wide program with having 27 Central executive member and Divisional Executive member. BPA has been working with various national and international organizations, including the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union, and the greater purpose of improving the physiotherapy profession and preserving the interests of the physiotherapist. Also, while the Council is active for physiotherapists, the BPA is playing a leading role at the national level, advising on legal advice to regulate their practice and provide other services and support. In addition, BPA has been conducting different awareness building program nationwide by posters, leaflets, advertisements, letter and online activity, electronic media programs also conducting free health camp in different occasion in various place to inform about physiotherapy, physiotherapy service and health implications. 8th September is the “World Physiotherapy Day”, The World Health Organization Approved World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) in collaboration 118 countries celebrate this day around the world. Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association (BPA) has been observing this day in Bangladesh since 2001.
BPA has its own up-to date website from where you can able to search related information about Physiotherapy and for membership update find the Membership database.
Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association is also the activist of the establishment of "Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council" the regulatory body for physiotherapy and rehabilitation professionals in Bangladesh and contributing as a member of the council.
Currently, Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association have nearly 1200 physiotherapy graduate members and administratively running with a central executive committee and associated by divisional committee in Bangladesh.
