Physiotherapy Department
The Physiotherapy Department of 37 Military Hospital is a specialized rehabilitation service dedicated to the prevention, assessment, treatment, and management of movement disorders, pain, disability, and functional limitations. The department provides comprehensive evidence-based physiotherapy services to military personnel, defence civilian staff, their dependents, and the general public, supporting recovery, health promotion, and optimal physical performance.
The department operates through specialized clinical units to ensure patient-centered and multidisciplinary rehabilitation services.
Correspondence referenced MH/325/Q dated 16 March 2015 formally requested the posting of two biomedical engineers, commissioned in 2012, from the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) to 37 Military Hospital. This transfer moved specialised technical personnel into the clinical command framework of the Medical Corps, marking a structural shift from engineering-based supervision to clinically aligned biomedical management. A further proposal, submitted through GHQ/9241/1/A/MED dated 08 May 2017, sought to institutionalise biomedical engineering within the Ghana Armed Forces Health Services organogram.
Mission
To provide high-quality, evidence-based physiotherapy services that restore function, promote health, enhance operational readiness, and improve the quality of life of patients through clinical excellence, education, research, and innovation.
Vision
To be a centre of excellence in rehabilitation, education, research, and military physiotherapy within Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Unit
The Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Unit specializes in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues.
Services Provided
- Assessment and management of neck and back pain
- Treatment of sports injuries.
- Management of joint disorders and arthritis.
- Post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation.
- Fracture rehabilitation.
- Tendon and ligament injury management.
- Occupational and work-related injury rehabilitation.
- Manual therapy.
- Therapeutic exercise prescription.
- Electrotherapy.
- Ergonomic assessment and advice.
Neurorehabilitation Unit
The Neurorehabilitation Unit provides specialized rehabilitation for individuals with neurological disorders affecting movement, balance, coordination, and functional independence.
Services Provided
- Stroke rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.
- Spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
- Parkinson’s disease management.
- Multiple sclerosis rehabilitation.
- Peripheral nerve injury rehabilitation.
- Balance and gait retraining.
- Manual therapy.
- Therapeutic exercise prescription.
- Functional mobility training.
- Cognitive-motor rehabilitation.
- Community reintegration programs.
Pain Management Unit
The Pain Management Unit focuses on the multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions.
Services Provided
- Chronic pain rehabilitation.
- Low back pain management.
- Neck pain rehabilitation.
- Myofascial pain syndrome treatment.
- Post-surgical pain management.
- Patient education and self-management strategies.
- Electrotherapy and adjunct pain relief modalities.
- Exercise-based pain rehabilitation.
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit
The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit manages patients with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions through exercise-based rehabilitation and respiratory care.
Services Provided
- Cardiac rehabilitation.
- Low back pain management.
- Post-thoracic surgery rehabilitation.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Airway clearance techniques.
- Breathing retraining exercises.
- Exercise tolerance assessment.
- Intensive care physiotherapy support.
Women’s Health Physiotherapy Unit
This unit provides specialized physiotherapy services addressing health conditions unique to women throughout the lifespan.
Services Provided
- Antenatal and postnatal physiotherapy.
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation.
- Urinary incontinence management.
- Pelvic pain management.
- Post-gynaecological surgery rehabilitation.
- Exercise programs during pregnancy.
- Diastasis recti rehabilitation.
Sports Physiotherapy Unit
The Sports Physiotherapy Unit focuses on injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement for athletes and physically active individuals.
Services Provided
- Sports injury assessment and treatment.
- Return-to-sport rehabilitation.
- Injury prevention programs.
- Athletic screening.
- Performance enhancement programs.
- Event medical coverage.
- Sports taping and bracing.
- Strength and conditioning support
Inpatient and Critical Care Physiotherapy Services
Physiotherapists provide rehabilitation services to admitted patients across various wards and critical care settings.
Services Provided
- Early mobilization.
- Post-operative rehabilitation.
- Intensive Care Unit physiotherapy.
- Respiratory care.
- Functional recovery programs.
- Discharge planning and continuity of care.
Military Rehabilitation and Occupational Health Services
This specialized service supports the operational readiness and rehabilitation of Ghana Armed Forces personnel.
Services Provided
- Military fitness rehabilitation.
- Occupational injury management.
- Medical employment assessments.
- Return-to-duty programs.
- Load carriage injury prevention.
- Physical conditioning and performance optimization.
- Deployment readiness rehabilitation.
Annual Programs Undertaken By The Physiotherapy Department
The department undertakes several annual professional, clinical, educational, and community outreach activities.
Clinical Programs
- World Physiotherapy Day celebration and public education activities.
- Pregnancy school.
- Military health programs.
- Physical fitness and injury prevention education for military personnel.
- Military sports event medical support.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Departmental Continuing Professional Development sessions.
- Clinical case presentations and reviews.
- Clinical mentorship and internship training.
Educational Programs
- Clinical training of Physiotherapy students
- Internship and rotational training programs
- Orientation programs for newly posted staff
- Interdisciplinary educational seminars
- Community Outreach Programs
- Community screening exercises
- Public health education campaigns
- School and workplace ergonomic education.
- Community exercise and wellness programs.