We believe that our patients have dignity and worth; we seek to help our patients holistically through the medium of physical rehabilitation.
Galmi Hospital’s first Physical Therapist came for 18 months starting in 1980. 30 years passed before the Physical Rehabilitation Department was officially developed in 2011 with the arrival of Galmi’s first Occupational Therapist. The department is now thriving and expanding, supporting both surgical and medical services as well as developing and producing assistive technology to help improve the quality of life of so many patients. .
Along with providing therapeutic intervention for our patients, one goal of the Galmi Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Department is to train Nigerien workers. Options for therapy education are currently very limited in Niger, and so we have been using an apprenticeship model to train our therapy assistants. This style of teaching works well in the Nigerien context as it relies heavily on relationship and modeling; it also provides a foundation for discipleship of our rehab staff.
Inpatient Services
The Rehab Department at Galmi Hospital offers inpatient services to those being treated by the surgical and medical wards. Our patients often have diagnoses such as burns, traumatic injuries, chronic orthopedic conditions, upper and lower limb amputations, severe chronic wounds, acute stroke, tetanus, malnutrition as a result of swallowing disorders, acute neurologic disorders, etc.
Outpatient Services
We receive referrals from our medical and surgical outpatient clinics as well as the PMI, our Under-5 clinic. Those typically referred are patients with mobility deficits, stiff joints, upper limb amputations, non-acute strokes, developmental delays, Pott’s disease (TB of the spine), advanced cancer, paralysis and other neurologic deficits, hand deformities, etc.
Club Foot is a very treatable condition, which is frequently neglected in Niger. Our therapy department runs a weekly outpatient Club Foot Clinic in partnership with the CURE Hospital in Niamey. We also partner with a local pastor who counsels each family and is involved in village-based education about Club Foot.
Spiritual Care
One’s health does not only impact a person’s body, it can affect emotional wellbeing, family participation and community integration. Through the medium of physical rehabilitation, we seek to help our patients holistically. We believe that our patients have dignity and worth; we want each of our patients to have exposure to the Good News of Jesus as a result of their experience in the Therapy Department.
Join Our Team
Our hope is to have Occupational and Physiotherapists on the Rehab team who, compelled by God’s great love and empowered by the Holy Spirit, will join us as
* We cross barriers to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ, expressing His love and compassion among those who live and die without Him
* We make disciples who will trust and obey Jesus, and become part of Christ-centered churches
* We work together with churches to fulfil God’s mission across cultures locally and globally
* We facilitate the participation in cross-cultural ministry of those whom God is calling.