Hundreds people in Otuoke are benefiting from the free physiotherapists treatment offered by the Physiotherapy Department of the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa (FMC).

More than 300 people have so far benefitted from care in muscular-skeletal and neuro-muscular conditions by team of physiotherapists at the one week programme.

Mr Gbenga Popoola, Head of Department Physiotherapy FMC Yenagoa, said on Sunday that the aim of the programme was to contribute to the healthcare service of the people at the grassroots as part of social service of the hospital.

He explained that physiotherapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.

He said the exercise was designed create awareness on the benefits of physiotherapy and its place in health of the people in the rural areas in Bayelsa.

The free physiotherapy service was rendered at the Otuoke Village square and the FMC Health Extension Centre located in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

The people were treated of various diseases, including osteoarthritis, low back pain, cerebral palsy, neck pain, stroke, Parkinson’s diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint stiffness and foot drop amongst others.

King Lot Ogiasa, Paramount Ruler of Otuoke, said that the gesture is a welcome development for his people as it will be of benefit to their health condition.

He urged the team to extend free medical services to nearby communities in the area, adding that the benefit of physiotherapy to improve the health condition of the rural dwellers.

Mr Celestine Onoema, a physiotherapist in FMC, expressed satisfaction with the peoples’ response to the programme, stressing that the outcome was impressive.

He said that on the first day of the exercise, more than 200 people were treated while more people were coming for assessment and treatment for the one week exercise.

Mr Obedience Azibapu, a resident in Otuoke Community, who benefitted from the exercise, commended FMC for the free Physiotherapy tests and treatment.

“We are happy to see this gesture in our community, it was an eye opener and an exercise that educated us on the things like exercising to lead healthier lives and keep diseases at bay.

“Once again, we commend the efforts of the FMC in Bayelsa, they should consolidate on the successes recorded here in Otuoke,” Azibapu said