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It took him a great deal of determination to get back on his feet but then again, he had dedicated physiotherapists to help him throughout the recovery process.

"I was bed-ridden for three months. Gradually, I walked with walking frame and then with crutches. Therefore, I have my own experience on how important it is to have trained and competent physiotherapists helping patients to achieve a full physical recovery."

Since then, the executive chairman of Allianze University College of Medical Sciences (AUCMS) was determined to take the college's physiotherapy training courses to the highest level.

Dr Zainuddin, with the help of the college's School of Physiotherapy, plans to introduce bachelor degree and doctorate programmes next year.

He added that AUCMS' very own physiotherapy clinic was already operating from the main campus and that the first branch would be opened in Kuala Lumpur next year.

To achieve this, Dr Zainuddin said AUCMS would be recruiting more experienced lecturers in the field and providing the school with the latest equipment.

Dr Zainuddin said the college's long-term mission was to offer specialised physiotherapy training such as sports medicine, post-trauma and other sub-specialities.

"We aim to have between 1,500 and 2,000 students next year."

The school was opened in April 2007 with only two lecturers but has since expanded. It currently has 856

diploma students and 32 lecturers.

The school, located in Putra Bertam, is also equipped with two gymnasiums and a electrotherapy lab.

The physiotherapy clinic at the main campus is also equipped with similar facilities.

The diploma programme runs for three years comprising six semesters and the students undergo clinical training for three of the semesters.

They are also able to get attachment at seven government hospitals, five old folks' home and two private health centres, which helps to expose them to real-time situations and sharpening their competency.

"Our diploma programme is accredited by the Malaysian Accreditation Agency (MQA) and the best part is that our graduates are eligible to apply to work at any government hospitals.

"It is well known that the employ-ability of our graduates is AUCMS's main priority and we will make sure that our students are well-equipped to enter the job market," said Dr Azmi.

School of Physiotherapy programme coordinator Vamsi Chaitanya stressed the importance of a balanced academic and industrial training.

He said diploma students were required to pass the Objective Structured Practical Examination, which assessed their grasp on all physiotherapy techniques, including in orthopedics, neurology, paediatrics, cardiorespiratory, women's health.

Vasmi said students were also exposed to state-of-the-art equipment for electromagnetic treatment, such as utra-sound, interferential therapy and laser therapy.

"We want to make sure that they are capable of diagnosing and performing the right treatment on patients as physiotherapy is an important component in the rehabilitation process.

"As they say, the doctors put years to life, physiotherapist give life to the years," he said in a jest.

Vasmi said apart from the training, students were also encouraged to take part in community services.

He said the school was actively involved in extending physiotherapy services to the disabled, senior citizens and bedridden patients in villages.

Dr Azmi said demand for trained physiotherapist was high.

"There is a significant shortage of trained physiotherapist in government hospitals and even private medical institutions, not to mention senior citizens care homes and sports bodies.

"The level of awareness among Malaysians on the importance of getting treatment from trained physiotherapist is getting higher."

Dr Azmi said physiotherapy sessions was now compulsory for those who had undergone major surgeries such as heart operation and lung operation, and not only limited to those who were recovering from serious accidents.

The recent Health Ministry statistics showed that the current ratio of physiotherapist to the people is 1 for every 27,000 and the government was aiming to reduce the ratio to 1 for every 1,700 people by 2020.

Dr Azmi said the high demand in the health sector was also creating demand for more qualified teaching staff.

"This is a good opportunity for our graduates to become lecturers at AUCMS. In fact, three of our graduates from the first batch are working with us as clinical instructors."

Source - NST