LSBU helps improve Occupational Therapy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
London South Bank University has won a grant from the Tropical Health Education Trust to develop Occupational Therapy in Bosnia and HerzegovinaLondon South Bank University (LSBU) has won a grant from the Tropical Health Education Trust (THET) to support the Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), to further develop their Occupational Therapy (OT) provision.
THET is a global health organisation that trains and supports health workers through health partnerships, enabling citizens in low and middle income countries to access essential healthcare.
In 1992, the war in BiH killed 250,000 people, injured another 75,000 and caused the largest flight of refugees (1.25 million people) the world had seen in fifty years. As it stands today, 24% of the population in BiH live below the poverty line and 60% of people live in households where only one person is in employment.
This called for the Occupational Therapy team at LSBU, led by Janet Parker, to develop a programme which would encompass knowledge and expertise to help to strengthen the Occupational Therapy services in BiH.
The work will include developing modern and effective education programmes for OT professionals equipped with relevant knowledge, best practice techniques and teaching skills to operate effectively within the BiH national healthcare system; ultimately helping improve lives.
Course Director for PGDip Occupational Therapy programme at LSBU, Janet Parker, said: “LSBU is keen to work with our partners in BiH to improve the Occupational Therapy provision for all citizens, helping it move toward long-term sustainability.
“More than 20 years on, BiH is now in a position to push forward with more structural and longer term strategies to improve the lives and wellbeing of its citizens and we are willing to help support our partners in this change”.
Peter Benson, Head of LSBU's Health and Wellbeing Institute added: “Higher Education plays a central role in improving all aspects of a society, especially in terms of building solid foundation for development, skills improvement and effective policy. LSBU is keen to work with our partners in BiH to improve the OT provision for all citizens, helping it move toward long-term sustainability.”
Occupational therapy is a health and social care profession which adopts a person centred approach with an aim of promoting health and well-being through occupation, enabling people to live their lives independently. Occupational Therapists work in a range of settings hospitals, schools, prisons, community, housing and voluntary sector.
Get more information on LSBU's Health and Wellbeing Institute and the School of Health and Social Care.