​Vuyo Sabani

Germiston’s
Bertha Gxowa District Hospital physiotherapy unit conducted awareness campaign
for staff as part of Physiotherapy Back Week that is commemorated annually
between 1-8 September to promote healthy living
and educate the public on how to prevent and manage neck and back injuries.

 


The
week-long awareness campaign was undertaken at various units of the hospital
such as nursing, security, filling room, administration to mention a few. 


During
the awareness campaign staff was taken through the processes of what causes
back pain, how to carry heavy items to avoid back pain and injuries, and how to
seat properly. 


“This
week provides an opportunity to create awareness about the services we offer as
the facility, besides the Back Week. There is general perception that
physiotherapist are professionals who massages people. Being able to clear that
perception to say there other things we do, for instance, we started a Fitness
Clinic in 2015. The clinic is in line with the National Strategic Plan which is
aimed at helping the health system to combat the prevalence of non-communicable
diseases,” said  Physiotherapist Thando
Nyembe.


Nyembe
further added that the Fitness Clinic meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm-2pm
for staff and patients.


The
awareness campaign was well received by staff. “This workshop has helped quite
a lot. I gained so much knowledge on things I didn’t know about back problems.
It was informative. I have child at home who has spinal cord problems. I will
now know how to manage the child better because of this session.” said Bongi
Thango, a security guard at the hospital.


Thango
concluded by commending physiotherapy staff for the awareness campaign and stated
that she will further educate others in her family. 


Thango’s
sentiments were echoed by Administration Clerk Blessing Thete who said the
training was informative and that he learnt a lot on how he should take care of
his invertebrate and cortex. He also explained that he never knew that balance
was so important and that stress and depression contributes to back pain.