The most recent ReLAB-HS clinical skills training programme in Pakistan inspired participants to create a positive movement within their university and “Let’s Get Fit Together” continues to grow, with the founders hoping to expand the programme to the local community and beyond.

In February 2024, 21 rehabilitation professionals from two provinces of Pakistan (Sindh and KP) completed the ReLAB-HS Clinical Skills Training programme on the topic of Rehabilitation in the Community Setting. They covered a wide range of topics related to the benefits of exercise and approaches to integrating more opportunities for physical activity into clinical practice and the community setting.

The 14-week programme, the second of its kind in Pakistan, was a hybrid learning experience – with participants required to complete a series of online courses on Physiopedia Plus, attend online mentoring sessions, engage in discussions on the Rehabilitation Community Platform and attend a 3-day in-person training hosted by Ziauddin University in Sindh Province. Participants benefitted from the guideance of both local and international mentors, including Neelum Zehra (occupational therapist from Ziauddin University ZU), women’s health specialist and occupational therapist Dr Sabina Khan (University of St Augustine, USA) and Biokineticist Dr Candace Vermaak (Stellenbosch University, South Africa). 

The training not only exposed the participants to various group exercise and other government programmes benefiting people in the community, but also offered a rare opportunity for the participants including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, prosthetist/orthotists, a speech and language pathologist and a rehabilitation physician to meet face-to-face with like-minded professionals from a neighbouring province and discuss their various experiences and management approaches. 

“We want to encourage physical activity among students and faculty, making it a sustainable habit.” – Maha Siddiqui

Maha Siddiqui, a physiotherapist and senior lecturer at Ziauddin University, was among the participants of this innovative training programme. Inspired by Candace Vermaak’s mentoring session, Maha – in collaboration with other participants and faculty members at Ziauddin College of Physical and Occupational Therapy, in particular college principal Ms Quratulain Adnan and her dedicated team – initiated a project to promote physical activity and exercise among faculty and students at their university.

The project “Let’s Get Fit Together” began as a pilot initiative involving final-year students and faculty at Ziauddin University, aiming to foster a culture of fitness and wellbeing across the university’s three campuses through high-intensity fitness programmes and yoga sessions to accommodate varying fitness levels.

“We conducted sessions across three campuses, involving a total of 100 participants, including both students and faculty…For those not fit for high-intensity programs, we launched a yoga program… It was important to us to include everyone and promote physical activity in any form.” 

The sessions, led by volunteer faculty members, were held on a daily basis for one week and used varying themes to keep participants motivated and excited to come back. Impact was measured through pre- and post-session assessments including heart rate, blood pressure and a questionnaire about participants’ experiences. Men and women were encouraged to complete classes together and follow the same routines.

“we saw that when women are pushed to similar limits they have the potential to outperform men.”

Despite some dropouts, the project saw enthusiastic participation and positive feedback, leading to its continuation with regular sessions for both students and faculty – free to attend three times each week and lead by volunteer faculty members.

“The ultimate goal is to integrate fitness into daily life and expand the initiative to the community and government level.” – Maha Siddiqui

Looking ahead, the project aims to expand beyond the university through introducing the programme into the community and proposing it to governing bodies with the view of making physical activity a mandatory part of education and promoting its importance at all levels.

The success of “Let’s Get Fit Together” is a testament to the impact of the clinical skills training programme supported by USAID and ReLAB-HS. Together with the initiative of Maha Siddiqui and collaborative efforts of the management team at the Ziauddin College of Physical and Occupational Therapy, the successful execution of the programme has not only improved the fitness and wellbeing of participants at Ziauddin University but have set the stage for broader community engagement and sustainable health practices.

– Maha shares all the due credit with her incredible fellow trainers and the management of Ziauddin College of Physical and Occupational Therapy.