The massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Türkiye in February 2023 resulted in 51 000 deaths, with many more injured across 11 provinces. Many survivors are now living with disabilities, including approximately 1090 new amputees, while 2200 patients lost their protheses. These survivors need long-term, or even lifelong support, including rehabilitation and assistive technology.
WHO carried out an assessment of the support needed, following a request from the Turkish Government, and launched a project to strengthen physiotherapy services in 31 primary health care (PHC) centres across 15 provinces. The project aims to meet the rehabilitation needs of the affected population and build long-term and sustainable service capacity.
WHO considers rehabilitation an essential health service, including in emergencies. Access to early and high-quality rehabilitation services for those injured promotes functional recovery, shortens hospital stays and reduces the incidence of complications or disability. In addition, developing physiotherapy services at PHC level provides easier access for patients and reduces the burden on hospitals to provide these services.
Access to rehabilitation services
Specific roles, clinical needs and key steps for the project were defined over the course of several meetings held with the Ministry of Health and the Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Health Sciences. Visits to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital (part of Ankara City Hospital) and Gaziler Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital in Ankara – together with technical visits to PHC facilities in Kahramanmaraş and İzmir – were essential to understanding how rehabilitation services were being delivered within the national health-care system.
This project aimed to offer physical rehabilitation services at PHC level, promoting daily living training for people with disabilities, as well as training caregivers, minimizing health impairments, and optimizing health resources, all contributing to decreasing the burden on hospitals. Physiotherapists attended a week-long training course to enhance their clinical skills. Training materials were developed and containers of assistive products were delivered, which included items such as crutches, wheelchairs and walking frames, to support patients’ mobility.