Physiotherapy
"With a considerable part of the Syrian population living with disability, we have developed a strategic response to strengthen disability inclusion through our provision of free physiotherapy sessions and popular skills training sessions to empower families to meet their own needs."
EMA has developed a strategic response to strengthen disability inclusion through our provision of free physiotherapy sessions and popular skills training sessions to empower families to meet their own needs. Our physiotherapist sees several patients with neurological problems such as cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, tetraplegia, paraplegia and spina bifida. Other problems that are commonly treated and prevalent in the community are rheumatological problems, muscle dystrophy and traumatic conditions.
According to a study by Humanity & Inclusion, 22.8% of Syrian refugees have disabilities. It means that more than 1 in 5 refugees has a disability. Furthermore, 61.4% of the households have at least one member with disabilities. With our free physiotherapy programme, we aim to enhance disability inclusion and contribute to communities in which disabled people can participate in a meaningful way and reach their full potential.
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In 2025, we have paused our physiotherapy programme in Lebanon due to funding restraints. In the meantime we were able to develop a similar service in Syria, where we found a huge demand upon assessment in early 2025, with many of the population in need of physiotherapy after years of war and poor health support.
Thus we prioritised the opening of a physiotherapy centre in Jdaydet Artooz, which we achieved in August 2025. The centre has proven to be a much needed and successful health intervention, serving an average of 20 patients daily. Currently we are developing the centre, and exploring opportunities to expand to AlZabadani area where we also see a huge need for this health service.