On 18th March, the Order of Physiotherapists was present at the Parliamentary Health Committee of the Assembly of the Republic, where he presented the proposal to create the National Physiotherapist Day, The meeting was held on 30 September, the date of the creation of the Order, and was represented by the President, António Lopes, accompanied by the 1st Vice-President of the Board, Conceição Bettencourt.
The purpose of the hearing was to make MPs aware of the importance of the date, not only as a symbolic moment of recognition for the profession, but also as a strategic opportunity to promote health literacy, prevention and empowerment of citizens, reinforcing the role of physiotherapy in the health system and in society.
During the session, the parliamentary groups present (PSD, CHEGA and PS) recognised the importance of physiotherapy, highlighting its growing relevance in the context of healthcare, particularly in promoting mobility, autonomy and quality of life for the population.
The MPs recognised the importance of physiotherapy in the context of the health professions and stressed the need to ensure that the creation of this day translates into a concrete impact for citizens, namely through public awareness initiatives, the promotion of health literacy and the reinforcement of the integration of physiotherapists into the health system.
The existence of World Physiotherapy Day, which takes place on 8 September, the date on which World Physiotherapy was created, was also mentioned, and it was pointed out that the Order's proposal aims to establish a national date, associated with the creation of the Order of Physiotherapists, and geared towards the Portuguese reality.
In his speech, the President of the Order of Physiotherapists, António Lopes, emphasised the importance of this initiative to strengthen the link between physiotherapy and citizens:
"The existence of a day dedicated to physiotherapists will make it possible to promote public education and awareness campaigns, contributing to strengthening health literacy and helping citizens understand when and how to go to a physiotherapist.”
The President also stressed that National Physiotherapist Day could be a privileged moment to promote proximity actions with citizens, reflection and sharing initiatives and awareness campaigns, contributing to better use of healthcare and health gains.
The Order of Physiotherapists reaffirmed its total willingness to collaborate with the Portuguese Parliament in developing this initiative, which it considers to be of unequivocal public interest.
See here the hearing in the Parliamentary Health Committee: