THE Ghana and the Netherlands Governments have committed $7 million towards the improvement of physiotherapy services delivery in the country.

Under the joint improvement programme dubbed “Enraf Nonius Projects”, all public hospitals in the country are to be upgraded and equipped with modern machines to enhance their physiotherapy services.

Physiotherapists in these hospitals would also be trained in new techniques and modern methods of the practice.

Already 15 Ghanaian physiotherapists have left for Netherlands to upgrade their skills while the Dutch Government has equipped the Physiotherapy Departments of the Korle-Bu and Ho Government Hospitals, with modern equipment.

Dr B. D. R. T. Annan Director, Medical Services of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital who made this known at the opening of a five-day workshop for physiotherapists in Accra yesterday, said other government hospitals would soon be equipped with modern machines.

The workshop, being attended by 20 participants from the various government hospitals forms part of measures to improve on physiotherapy services.

It is being organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Universal Hospital Supply Limited to upgrade the skills of participants.

Mr Reginald Eric Lutterodt, Head of the Physiotherapy Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said a new physiotherapy department and hydro-therapy centre are being constructed at the hospital by the Dutch Government under the project which started last February and will take three years to complete.

Mr Jan Van de Wetering, Project Manager of the Enraf Nonius Projects, said improving on the human resource aspects of the project is very essential, adding that without efficient physiotherapists, machines and well equipped physiotherapy centres may not make the desired impact.