Zambia Society of Physiotherapy

Who are Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists are professionals who are qualified and trained to:

• Conduct an assessment of the needs of their clients
• Formulate a diagnosis and plan appropriate goals and treatment
• Implement physical therapy intervention
• Evaluate the intervention with appropriate outcome measures
• Provide consultation within their expertise and refer to other health care professionals when deemed necessary
• Where movement and function is affected by aging, injury or disease, physiotherapists aim to maximise the quality of lives of individuals through promotion, prevention and rehabilitation. This includes the physical, psychological, emotional and social well being of their clients, their families, caregivers as well as the communities and population at large.

Physiotherapists can be found in:

• Acute hospitals
• Community hospitals
• Day rehabilitation centres
• Day care centres
• Hospices
• Private clinics
• Nursing homes
• Patients’ homes
• Special schools
• Sports council and school
• Sports clubs

Who Do We Work With

Over the years, the physiotherapists’ scope of work has been continually expanding over the years. Today, physiotherapists work with a wide spectrum of clients such as:

• Sporting athletes
• Patients with cardiac conditions such as after a heart bypass, heart attack, and heart failure
• Patients with pulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema
• Patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury
• Patients who underwent surgical procedures such as a ligament repair, total knee/hip replacements, and amputations
• Patients who have musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and a prolapsed spinal intervertebral disc (“slipped disc”)
• Paediatric patients with conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, and developmental delays
• Geriatric patients with problems such as functional decline, falls or poor balance, and cognitive impairment
• Patients with cancer conditions
• Patients with burns
• Patients who require weight management

Entry Qualifications

Entry to a physiotherapy course would require 5 "O" levels or equivalent and potential physiotherapy students can obtain their qualification locally or overseas. The entry qualification for Physiotherapy Practitioners in Zambia is either a Diploma in Physiotherapy or a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy Degree. Instititutions currently offering 3-year Diploma in Physiotherapy programs include Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts, Lusaka Apex Medical University and Kafue Institute of Health Sciences. You may also want to enroll into a 5 year Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy program at either The University of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University or Lusaka Apex Medical University.

Working in Zambia

As Zambia experiences increased population growth and improved life expectancy, the demand for healthcare services is expected to increase. According to the Ministry of Health, Zambia, Rehabilitation is one of the areas of health delivery that is listed as an essential area, especially with the recent increase in non-communicable diseases.

The Zambian healthcare system is made up of public and private healthcare services. The Ministry of Health has principally primed itself to ensure that good and affordable basic medical services are available to all Zambians.

The Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) is established by the Health Professions Act 2009 to regulate the health professions (with the exception of Nursing which is regulated by the Nursing and Midwives Council of Zambia) in Zambia. Physiotherapists and PhysiotherapyTechnologists will need to register under the HP Act in order to legally practice. Click here for information on application to be a registered Allied Health Professional.

Useful Resources

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Labour and Social Security

Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ)

World Physiotherapy