TAIPING: Malaysia continues to face a significant shortage of occupational therapists compared to several developed countries, due to a general lack of public awareness regarding the importance of the profession.
The Health Ministry’s head of occupational therapy and rehabilitation services, Nora Hamid, said that with a population of over 34 million people, only about 2,700 occupational therapists are currently registered under the Allied Health Professions Act.
She said more than half of that number are serving under the ministry, including in hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centres, and welfare institutions.
“Currently, the ratio stands at about one therapist for every 10,000 people.
“(This) is significantly lower than neighbouring countries such as Singapore (3:10,000) and Hong Kong (4:10,000),” she said when met at the 2nd Malaysian Occupational Therapy Symposium yesterday, Bernama reported.
Nora said the urgent need to increase the number of professionals in the field is in line with the World Health Organisation’s Rehabilitation 2030 goal, which emphasises strengthening rehabilitation systems and ensuring access to comprehensive treatment.
