The essential role of physiotherapists in providing rehabilitation services to people living with HIV in South Africa

S Cobbing,V Chetty,H Myezwa,J Jelsma,S A Nixon,J Hanass-Hancock

doi:10.4102/sajp.v69i1.368

Abstract

Despite increased access to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in South Africa, there remains a high risk of people living with HIV (PLHIV) developing a wide range of disabilities. Physiotherapists are trained to rehabilitate individuals with the disabilities related to HIV. Not only can South African physiotherapists play a significant role in improving the lives of PLHIV, but by responding proactively to the HIV epidemic they can reinforce the relevance and value of the profession in this country at a time when many newly qualified therapists are unable to secure employment. This paper offers recommendations that may help to fuel this response. These ideas include enhancing HIV curricula at a tertiary level, designing and attending continuing education courses on HIV and researching Southern African rehabilitation interventions for HIV at all levels of practice. furthermore, it is vital that physiotherapists are at the forefront of directing multi-disciplinary responses to the rehabilitation of PLHIV in order to influence stakeholders who are responsible for health policy formulation. it is hoped that this paper stimulates discussion and further ideas amongst physiotherapists and other health professionals in order to improve the quality and access to care available to PLHIV in South Africa.

Highlights

It is vital that physiotherapists are at the forefront of directing multi-disciplinary responses to the rehabilitation of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in order to influence stakeholders who are responsible for health policy formulation
Sub-Saharan Africa bears an inordinate share of the worldwide HIV burden, with an estimated 11.3 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2009 (UNAIDS 2010)
According to the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI), South Africa faces a quadruple burden of disease, with the mortality and morbidity related to HIV/AIDS second only to non-communicable diseases, resulting in this country having a burden of disease almost double that of other developing countries (Econex, 2009)

Summary

Introduction

It is hoped that this paper stimulates discussion and further ideas amongst physiotherapists and other health professionals in order to improve the quality and access to care available to PLHIV in South Africa. The number of physiotherapists being trained at South African tertiary institu tions continues to increase, in line with specific government directives to train more health professionals (DOH, 2011).

Results

Conclusion