KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to incorporate physiotherapy courses into technical and vocational education and Training (TVET) programmes undermines the professional integrity and rigorous standards established for the field in Malaysia, a physiotherapist said.

Registered physiotherapist Halizahanim Hassan expressed her concerns over the recent announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on the introduction of physiotherapy certification courses in the national TVET curriculum.

"Our profession is a vital component of the healthcare continuum, demanding specialised education and training to ensure the highest quality of patient care.

"The qualifications and recognition required to practise as a physiotherapist in Malaysia are clearly outlined under Act 774 (the Allied Health Professions Act 2016), and any attempt to lower these standards is unacceptable.

"This suggestion was made without proper consultation with key stakeholders, including professional bodies and the physiotherapy community. Such a lack of engagement has led to widespread frustration and backlash among physiotherapists, who have dedicated themselves to elevating the standards of our profession and gaining recognition as experts in their field," she said in a LinkedIn post.

She said the underlying motive of the move was to reduce the cost of hiring physiotherapists by classifying the profession under TVET and that it was "highly concerning".

Halizahanim said employing physiotherapists as cheap labour, with the intention of paying them minimum wage, was not only disrespectful to their role and expertise, but also wrong.

"It devalues the profession and disregards the critical contributions physiotherapists make to patient care. This practice is not only a disservice to the profession, but also a violation of basic human dignity and should be firmly opposed.

"Physiotherapy is not merely a technical skill; it is a healthcare profession that requires a deep understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Lowering entry requirements for physiotherapists threatens the quality of care provided to patients and undermines public trust in our healthcare system."

She urged the government to reconsider thes proposal and engage in a dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including professional bodies and practising physiotherapists.

"Our focus should be on advancing the profession, not regressing to a time when standards were less stringent.

"We are committed to upholding the highest standards in physiotherapy education and practice in Malaysia. We call on the government to respect the expertise and dedication of the physiotherapy community and to support our efforts in maintaining and enhancing the quality of care provided to the people of Malaysia."

On Tuesday, Zahid said the government will introduce physiotherapy certification courses in the TVET curriculum to balance the ratio of physiotherapists to the national population.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1082560/tvet-physiotherapy-courses-undermine-field-says-practitioner