The University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo State, on Monday joined the global community to celebrate the 2025 World Physiotherapy Day, with a focus on promoting healthy ageing and preventing falls and frailty among older adults.
This year’s theme, “Healthy Ageing and the Prevention of Falls and Frailty,” underscored the crucial role of physiotherapy in helping people maintain independence, mobility, and quality of life as they age.
Declaring the event open, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Dr. Michael Gbala, said the annual celebration, held every September 8, provides an opportunity to honour physiotherapists and highlight their contribution to healthcare.
He noted that physiotherapists design exercise programmes that build strength, balance, and mobility, helping older adults to stay active, reduce the risk of falls, and maintain confidence in their daily activities.
In her keynote address, the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, Dr. (Mrs.) Ogunleye Ibronke Esther, said the theme resonates with the mission of the profession—to empower individuals to live healthier, longer, and more independent lives.
She stressed that physiotherapy interventions not only prevent falls but also reduce the burden of frailty on families and the healthcare system.
“At UNIMEDTH, our commitment to education, research, and clinical practice continues to drive better outcomes for patients,” she said.
