Physio Day

Participants with VIPs

Physiotherapy day, organised by the UTAR Physiotherapy Society, was held at Sungai Long Campus to commemorate the World Physiotherapy Day with the aim of helping the community to come to an awareness of health risks or any habits that may lead to an undesired health status. 

Participants at the photo booth

The event comprised of the health screening programme, which included Hamstring and Thomas test, Y balance test, back endurance and Clarke’s test, and it was conducted for students and public on 16 and 17 October 2017. Another programme, Mannequin race, also took place on 21 October 2017, where it offered a series of station games such as rope skipping, squatting game, wheelbarrow and many more. The purpose of the Mannequin race was to raise the participants’ health conscious and also to challenge the stamina and the IQ of the participants. 

Dr Alan giving his welcome speech

At the opening ceremony for Mannequin race, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat thanked the committees for all their efforts in making this event a success and he said, “Your role in the society is very important. According to your interest and actions, each of you has your own role to play and this is what the society needs.”

Pramod highlighting the importance of physical activity

FMHS Department of Physiotherapy Head Pramod Divakara Shenoy said, “The theme of the World Physiotherapy Day this year is ‘Physical activity for life’. People are moving towards degeneration. Therefore, it is important to encourage the development and maintenance of a physically-active lifestyle. One of the ways is to create the awareness among the people.” He also urged the young people to engage actively in the physical activity.

Physio Day Organising Chairperson Tneh Xian Hooi, who was also a year three Physiotherapy student, said in her speech, “Actually Physio Day is an annual event to help UTAR Physio Club to commemorate the World Physiotherapy Day as a part of the Physiotherapy Community Society. It was organised for the purpose of raising the awareness of the public and also promoting the role of physiotherapists in one’s quality of life.” 

Captain Mohan (far right) receiving a token of appreciation from Tarun

Also present at the event was Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) Captain G. Mohan. He advised the students to be more empathy, understand one’s condition especially a person with a disability, and place themselves in their shoes to feel what they are feeling.

FMHS lecturer Tarun Amalnerkar also reminded the participants that prevention is always better than cure. “Prevention is a very important thing that should be done. What else could be better than someone who can teach you how to exercise and how to remain fit,” he said.

Participants having fun during the station games