‘Asia-Pacific region has seen 278pc increase in occupational therapists’

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) President Samantha Shann has said that there has been a remarkable 278 per cent increase in occupational therapists in the Asia-Pacific region.

“However, these numbers remain disproportionately low when compared to the global population. We must take collective action to address this gap and improve accessibility worldwide,” Samantha said during her address as the chief guest at the 1st International and 2nd National ‘Pakistan Occupational Therapy Conference’ at the Ziauddin University.

The conference aimed to promote national and international collaboration among occupational therapy practitioners, researchers and educators, creating a platform to share best practices and innovative approaches in the field.

The conference sought to foster interdisciplinary partnerships that enhance service delivery and improve patient outcomes while engaging participants in meaningful discussions on current challenges and future directions in occupational therapy.

Highlighting the significance of collaborative leadership, the WFOT president remarked that occupational therapy demands teamwork and strategic efforts at both national and international levels.

“This field is vital for rehabilitation, as it improves patients’ conditions and quality of life, and prevents the worsening of their health. By fostering global collaboration, we can ensure that occupational therapy services are more accessible and transformative for communities worldwide.”

Sharing her challenges about the journey during her dignitary address, Pakistan Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) President Shahida Zakir said: “As occupational therapists, we have traversed a long and arduous journey. Today’s first international conference was once a dream; there was a time when we had only hope, not resources.”

Shahida said that this conference stands as a testament to resilience, a dream birthed from sheer hope, now realised against all odds, symbolising how far they have come by transforming scarcity into opportunity, and ambition into achievement.

ZU Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Dean Prof Dr Sumaira Imran Farooqi expressed her pride in the university for hosting the first international conference on occupational therapy.

Reflecting on the challenges of advancing the field, she emphasised: “We need to improve the curriculum while acknowledging the difficulty of completing such comprehensive degrees within a four-year time-frame.”

Dr Sumaira highlighted the unique obstacles faced by occupational therapy in Pakistan, where the lack of local evidence leads to a reliance on international cases.

Celebrating the remarkable achievements of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Hidayatullah Kasi, the HEC Pakistan deputy director of curriculum, said: “The journey of Pakistan’s higher education sector from 2002 to 2024 is a testament to resilience and progress.”

Kasi said that during this period, the number of universities has grown from 59 to 263, gross enrolment has soared from 276,274 to 2.1 million, and female enrolment has increased from 32 per cent to 46 per cent.

“Enrolment per million population has surged from 2,600 to 20,000, annual research publications have expanded from 800 to over 28,000, and PhD graduates now exceed 30,000, compared to just 3,110 two decades ago. These achievements underscore our nation’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence and innovation.”

Addressing the conference as the guest speaker, Dr Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak, head of the programme and associate professor of the Occupational Therapy Programme at the Batterjee Medical College, Saudi Arabia, highlighted the importance of a patient-first approach.

“Over 1 billion people across the globe live with disabilities, representing 15 per cent of the total population. This staggering figure reminds us of the diversity and potential within the human experience.”

Dr Sarsak said that rather than highlighting their disabilities, placing the patient first must be prioritised, acknowledging their dignity, strength and individuality. “Never underestimate a patient’s abilities. While they may face certain challenges, they are not defined by them.”

Instead, he added, they are differently abled, bringing unique perspectives and talents to the world. “Embracing this inclusive mindset is crucial to fostering respect, empowerment and meaningful progress in society.”

POTA General Secretary Nighat Tahir emphasised that the theme of the conference, ‘Building Collaboration’, serves as a vital pathway to enhancing the advocacy of the profession, ultimately contributing to healthcare services, and promoting the health and well-being of the community.

Earlier, in her welcome address, POTA Vice President and Ziauddin College of Occupational Therapy Principal Neelum Zehra said that it is truly an honour and privilege for them to host this significant conference.

“We are delighted to have international experts and speakers among us, sharing their invaluable expertise and knowledge. This event reflects our commitment to fostering global collaboration and advancing occupational therapy practices.”

During the conference, abstracts were presented to the audience, focusing on topics such as the role of mental health in occupational therapy, oral paediatrics, and inter-professional collaboration, further enriching the academic experience of the event. Later, poster presentations were also held, adding another layer of engagement to the conference.

The event was organised in collaboration with the POTA, the WFOT, Sensory Care By SAM the OT, and the Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.