Motivation Australia, Fiji National University (FNU) School of Physiotherapy and the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) have been working together since 2012 to increase the numbers of trained wheelchair service providers.
Together we have trained a number of clinicians and technicians using the Wheelchair Service Training Package – Basic level (WSTPb). In 2012, FNU integrated the WSTPb into their Physiotherapy and Community Rehabilitation Assistant courses. While this has significantly increased the numbers of clinically trained personnel in Fiji (and around the Pacific), the numbers of technicians who can assemble, adjust, repair and maintain wheelchairs remained low.
In order to address this, Motivation Australia and the SIA held a three-day technical training workshop in Suva. Six participants from Fiji’s two main islands attended the training, which covered: wheelchair assembly, maintenance and repairs.
This training has expanded the numbers of trained technicians at the SIA and provided the opportunity for the development of a new wheelchair service at Labasa Hospital on the island of Vanua Levu. While Labasa physiotherapy department previously had access to clinicians, there were no trained technicians on the island!
Congratulations to all who successfully completed the training!