Organised by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Health Sciences Faculty in collaboration with the Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapists Association, “Current Developments in Neurological Rehabilitation” themed “2nd National Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Congress" commenced at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday the 14th of December 2017.
Speaking after the EMU promotional film screening following a moment of silence and the national anthem, Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapists Association President Şahveren Çakartaş expressed her happiness regarding the second National Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Congress materializing. Çakartaş also provided information about the association, its goals and projects
EMU Health Sciences Faculty, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Chair Asst. Prof. Dr. Ender Angın provided information and welcomed everyone to the congress. Indicating that the topics discussed at the congress will shed light on the problems in the field of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Prof. Dr. Angın also provided information about the department and thanked everyone for their participation.
Turkish Physiotherapy Association President and Hacettepe University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Chair Prof. Dr. Tülin Düger stated that the health system is facing newly emerging health threats underlining that rehabilitation must be addressed once again. Prof. Dr. Düger also expressed that the demand for rehabilitation is increasing with the ageing of the population and the increase of diseases. Thanking all involved in the organization of the congress, Prof. Dr. Düger stated that they will be continuing their collaboration with the Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapists Association in order to elevate profession.
Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç also provided information about the congress. Wishing everyone a fruitful congress Prof. Dr. Malkoç went on to speak about EMU Health Sciences Faculty underlining its many achievements despite being a relatively new faculty.
Honorary Congress President and Medipol University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Chair Prof. Dr. Candan Algun expressed that she is very pleased to be at EMU in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) at a congress that will address the field of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
Also speaking at the opening, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam thanked everyone for their participation, expressing that they are happy that the congress is being hosted by EMU. Providing extensive information about the university Prof. Dr. Osam stated that EMU is the greatest achievement of the TRNC in the field of education. Indicating that EMU has made serious investments and developments in the field of health over the last 10 years Prof. Dr. Osam noted that they have completed work required to set up a Faculty of Dentistry.
Stating that EMU will continue to provide the Turkish Cypriot and global community with important services Prof. Dr. Osam wished everyone a fruitful congress. After the opening speeches Prof. Dr. Osam presented Honorary Congress President Prof. Dr. Algun a unique Cypriot Lefkara frame as well as flowers which he also presented to Physiotherapist Çakartaş and Prof. Dr. Malkoç.
After a dance performance by the “Unhindered Dancers” of the Cyprus Turkish Orthopedically Disabled Association the first session of the congress moderated by Prof. Dr. Candan Algun and Prof. Dr. Ayşe Livanelioğlu took place.
At the said session the presentations titled “Early Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Methods for High Risk Infants”, “Strengthening Education in Cases of Cerebral Palsy”, “Using the PETO Technique for Pediatric Patients” and “Functional Skill Education in Cases of Cerebral Palsy: Assistive Equipment were delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akmer Mutlu, Physiotherapist Ünal Aras Değer, Physiotherapist Hülya Özbeşer and Asst. Prof. Dr. Zehra Güçhan Topçu, respectively.
Workshops will also be taking place at the conference that will continue on the 16th of December 2017.
