The hand surgery and Rehabilitation Workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a developing country that has experienced an economic crisis over the last decade.

This economic crisis has resulted in exodus of many qualified Occupational Therapists and

Physiotherapists to other countries in search of greener pastures. Due to the shortage of therapists

and consequently the high workload has made it difficult for the remaining therapists to

specialise in a field like hand therapy. Although, there are some therapists who wish to

specialise especially in Hand Therapy, the high costs of the training and lack of resources makes

it difficult for them to register for the course in our neighbouring country of South Africa.

However, there are plans to develop and mentor therapists who work in the hand therapy every

day. Due to the economic crisis experienced in Zimbabwe, the industries collapsed. Most if not

all commodities including some basic things are imported from neighbouring countries. Thus,

most of our clinics function without some of the basic equipment’s needed for assessment and

treatment in Hand therapy.

Hand injuries range from trauma, industrial and domestic accidents. In addition, a large

proportion of patients who need hand rehabilitation are as a result of burns. There is no published

data on the pattern of hand injuries in Zimbabwe. In a bid to promote hand therapy in Zimbabwe,

through the assistance of a Plastic Surgeon, Dr FC Muchemwa a refresher workshop was

planned at the department of Rehabilitation, University of Zimbabwe from the 16-19 January

2018. Participants for the workshop included both students and qualified physiotherapists and

occupational therapists. Some of the qualified therapists came from the districts in remote areas

of Zimbabwe, thus can safely say had a fair representation of the country at large. The workshop

was facilitated by Magan Blakeway and Anne McGregor from St George’s Hospital University

of London. Topics covered included assessments of hand injuries, burns, nerve injuries, congenital

deformities and splinting among other topics.

The University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, dean (Prof Masanganise) receiving the

hand Dynamometer from the International Federation of societies for Hand Therapy. Looking on

is the chairperson for the Department of Rehabilitation (Ms Chikwanha).

Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapist practice assessments using the hand dynamometer,

during a clinical skills workshop

The University of Zimbabwe works closely with the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Both

occupational Therapists and physiotherapy students have their clinical placements in the hospital.

Thus, the hand dynamometer will be used for teaching demonstrations as well as during clinical

placements with clients. Below is a picture of a student’s practising using the hand dynamometer

in the rehabilitation department.

A detailed assessment leads to an effective intervention. Thus, the equipment came at the right

time as we are promoting use of standardised assessments and evidence based interventions in

Zimbabwe.

Below is a picture of a patient, holding the hand dynamometer during assessment at the main

hospital.