Dinesh Shrestha was given a detailed briefing by Chairman MMI Dr Mehbood Ur Rehman related to the services of Habib Physiotherapy Complex for Afghan refugees, since their induction in Pakistan due to Afghan war.
He disclosed that the organisation has provided physiotherapy and rehabilitation facilities to the disabled and vulnerable groups among Afghan refugees and it was a milestone that in 2007 the Afghan Commissioner Gulzar Khan sponsored 10 Afghan students for the training in physiotherapy.
He said, as such the Mahboob College of Physiotherapy was initiated and then later the UNHCR approached for further training of Afghan students where 29 female students were enrolled and got training, furthermore one other batch was sponsored for the training in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. In 2007, he said, by declaring degree programme that was BS in physiotherapy.
Once again Afghan students were enrolled in degree programme and one if a success story was a polio affected girl named “Shah Pari” was rehabilitated and offered training by our institute and now she has completed her course which means we work for her rehabilitation, education and empowerment, he added.
At the moment, three of such students who have got degree in physiotherapy in this institute were the first ever graduates physiotherapist in Afghanistan. After presentation to the Chief by the Director Projects Saira Qureshi, the UNHCR team visited academic departments so like Physiotherapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics and Medical Lab Technology.
He was impressed by the advanced labs, museum and IT facilities. He visited the patients admitted in Habib Physiotherapy Complex for rehabilitation among them was stroke patients and spinal cord injury patients.
He witnessed the work at artificial limbs workshop. Later in a meeting with MMI management, the Chief and his team appreciated the achievements by touching the neglected areas and provision of standard services in Physiotherapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics and initiative of Inclusive School at Khushal Bagh Public School Peshawar. The UNHCR Chief in Peshawar also desired to visit the school.
He was impressed by the comprehensive approach towards disability solutions. He discussed and desired that UNHCR will get benefit from the expertise of the organisation.