Bhubaneswar: Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar observed World Physiotherapy Day 2026 by highlighting the growing contribution of physiotherapy to cardiovascular care, stroke rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
The programme was organised by the hospital’s Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and also featured the eighth edition of its Continuous Physiotherapy Education (C.P.E) series, C.P.E 8.0. More than 70 physiotherapy professionals from across Odisha participated in the programme, held ahead of World Physiotherapy Day on September 8.
This year’s global campaign focuses on the importance of physical activity and the role of physiotherapists in preventing health complications, managing physical limitations and supporting recovery after illness.
The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony attended by Dr. Kishore Kumar Panda, Consultant Orthopaedics, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, and Dr. P. P. Mohanty, Director, SVNIRTAR, along with other healthcare professionals and participants.
A key focus of the programme was the role of rehabilitation in cardiovascular and stroke care. While cardiologists and neurologists are central to diagnosis and treatment, physiotherapy can play an important role in helping patients rebuild strength, mobility and independence after a major health event.
“Physiotherapy plays an important role in helping people stay active and recover after illness or injury. Timely rehabilitation can help patients regain movement and independence,” said Dr. Kishore Kumar Panda.
Dr. P. P. Mohanty also emphasised the importance of rehabilitation in supporting stroke survivors and maintaining cardiovascular health.
Physiotherapists can contribute throughout the recovery journey. For stroke patients, therapy may focus on restoring movement and functional abilities, while people living with cardiovascular conditions may benefit from carefully planned physical activity and exercise programmes. The discussions highlighted the need for close coordination among different medical specialties to achieve better patient outcomes.
The C.P.E 8.0 programme provided a platform for professionals to exchange knowledge and experience across several areas of rehabilitation, including cardiac, neurological, orthopaedic, sports and critical care physiotherapy.
Dr. Saktimaya Mahapatra, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, said, “The role of physiotherapy is changing with the needs of patients. Today, rehabilitation is closely connected with prevention, recovery, and long-term management of several chronic conditions. Cardiovascular disease and stroke illustrate this clearly. A patient may receive timely medical or surgical treatment, but the journey toward functional recovery can continue for weeks or months. Physiotherapists are an important part of that journey, helping patients regain movement, build physical capacity, and return to daily life.”
The hospital provides physiotherapy and rehabilitation services across multiple specialties, including orthopaedics, neurology, oncology, cardiology and sports rehabilitation. Its department currently caters to more than 200 patients each day.
The programme concluded with physiotherapist Dr. Sibanisankar Tripathy thanking the speakers, participants and organising team for their contributions.
The observance reinforced the importance of physiotherapy as an integral part of modern healthcare, particularly in helping patients remain active, recover function and achieve greater independence following cardiac events, stroke and other health conditions.