The Afghan Association for Physical Therapy (AAPT) was established in 1998 as a step toward supporting the needs of the Afghan people, through promoting the physical therapy profession and quality physical therapy services. In 2007 the Association became a member of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy, whereby AAPT now strives to follow international standards in the aim of supporting the physical therapists in Afghanistan, and promoting the profession as part of general health-care services available to all Afghans who will benefit from physical therapy expertise. During 2008 particular emphasis has been placed on strengthening the profession and with the support and dedication of Afghan physical therapists, the Association can continue to strive towards the important goal of improving the physical therapy profession in Afghanistan. 

 

Vision:
AAPT strives to serve, improve and develop the physical therapy profession for benefit of the Afghan people, according to international standards.

Aims of AAPT:

• To promote physical therapy in Afghanistan
• To strengthen the physical therapy profession to provide the best service to the disabled and needy people of the country
• To work with other Afghan professional associations, and international physical therapist associations including WCPT
• To establish good relations with other medical and social departments which work for rehabilitation
• To coordinate physical therapy activities throughout Afghanistan
• To support educational standards for physical therapists according to the needs of the country
• To work with the government institutions to support the physical therapy profession including the establishment and maintenance of a registration system for physical therapists

Background of Physical Therapy in Afghanistan:
Afghanistan is a country that has suffered more that 25 years of war, resulting in many people being disabled as well as suffering from various conditions brought on by poor nutrition, inadequate health-care and poor knowledge about how to care for the body and prevent injury or disability. Poor medical and rehabilitation services mean that there have not been adequate services to take care of all the complex health issues borne by the Afghan people.

Physical therapy is a profession which has a lot to offer the people of Afghanistan, in hospitals, clinics and community based work.



AAPT Activities:

1. Prepare meetings, seminars and courses for physical therapists according to their needs and the needs of the Afghan people
2. Print and distribute information for the public regarding physical therapy services
3. Print and distribute professional information for the support and development of its members
4. Lobby for financial and technical support from local and foreign organizations to improve physical therapy services in the Afghanistan
5. Adhere to and promote WCPT standards of practice for a professional associations
6. Communicate with WCPT and other associations, organizations and institutions for the further development of physical therapy in Afghanistan
7. Promote and support physical therapy research in Afghanistan

AAPT Registration and Recognition:
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Health, AWP and WCPT