Action, inclusion, and independence

Observed globally on 27 October, World Occupational Therapy Day celebrates the vital role occupational therapists play in helping people live fuller, more independent lives. This year's theme, "Occupational Therapy in Action," underscores the profession's hands-on approach to improving daily functioning and overall wellbeing.

In Bangladesh, a growing number of dedicated occupational therapists are making a difference across hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and community settings — supporting individuals of all ages to regain confidence, independence, and quality of life.

Occupational therapists provide therapy in the following settings:

1. Adult neurological disorder: stroke, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), transverse myelitis (TM), Parkinson's disease (PD), brain tumours, etc.

2. Child Neurological Conditions: Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Intellectual Disability (ID), Stroke, etc.

3. Musculoskeletal Disease: Low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle pain, etc.

4.      Hand Condition: Hand fracture, burn, nerve injury, arthritis, etc.

5. Psychiatric conditions: depression, mood disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, panic disorder, etc.

6. Elderly care: Occupational therapists have a crucial role in rehabilitating elderly people.

7. Ergonomical setup: Occupational therapists have a great role in ergonomical setup. They evaluate workplaces and tasks to identify risks, provide recommendations for workstation and environmental adjustments and educate employees on injury prevention and healthy work practices.

At present there are 496 graduated occupational therapists, and they work nationally and internationally. In Bangladesh, occupational therapists work in the following areas:

1. Government Hospital

2. Non-government hospital

3. Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP)

4. Different national and international NGOs

5. Special School

6. Private practice

At present there are 4 institute-run occupational therapy graduate courses. These are:

1.   Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI)

2. Saic College of Medical Science and Technology (SAIC)

3. Mymensingh College of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences (MCPH)

4. Japan Bangladesh Friendship College of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences

Occupational therapists have an important role in rehabilitating all types of disabled patients. The Bangladesh government should take necessary steps to recruit qualified BSc holder occupational therapists in different government hospitals. That's how patients can benefit.

The writer is an occupational therapist at the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital (NINS&H). Email: rabeya1988@gmail.com