Unam’s OT programme bears first fruits
The Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, under the School of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Namibia (UNAM), reached a mammoth milestone in graduating its first cohort of Occupational Therapy students this year.The programme had its first intake in 2018 and was designed to produce healthcare professionals whose knowledge, professional skills, and practice in occupational therapy aid the needs of the Namibian society.
This undertaking, with the generous support of N$4.5 million to date by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), led to the graduation of seven students with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.
According to Helga Burger, one of the very first Occupational Therapy (OT) lecturers, the programme’s inception was tough. “The programme was newly developed, so we had to work extremely hard and now we have finally graduated seven students with one student having graduated cum laude,” she explained enthusiastically.
Local context
Alicia Marques, star of the first cohort of OT graduates, said that she is delighted to have been able to study for a profession as unique as Occupational Therapy and in the Namibian context. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with people and make a difference. Then I landed in this programme and I’m still astonished that I have graduated cum laude. It was by the grace of God alone.”
Alicia said that one of the reasons she excelled in this programme, is because she has a heart for people.
“Occupational therapy is centred around people and what we do every day. It looks at meaning and purpose for each unique individual and it focuses on each aspect of a person’s being, doing, belonging and becoming and creatively helps people of all ages reach their potential for meaningful participation within their context.”
She added that this was everything but an easy journey, which would not have been possible without the support of their OT lecturers. “I studied alongside the best team and my family and friends made this journey worthwhile.”
Living the best life
Burger added that most of their other graduates received distinctions for theory as well as their clinical work. “This first group was strong academically and clinically. They had a hard time and they really excelled.”
She said that Occupational Therapy is not well known and many people are still not well-informed about what OT is, and its importance. “We help people who have challenges related to living their lives. So, whatever makes it difficult for one to live their life, that’s what we work on,” she elaborated.
Another OT graduate, Ismalia Gariseb, said that she got to understand the impact and importance of occupational therapy in people’s lives: “I got to work with clients with different conditions such as strokes, burns and depressive disorders and through that, I learned about the value that OT can bring to the Namibian health care system.”
The OT programme that started with only 13 students, is growing exponentially, and in the past two years, there has been an increase in the number of students enrolling.
The Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy was established to help meet the physical rehabilitation and functional needs of the Namibian population to contribute toward shaping an occupationally, just Namibian society, which offers equitable opportunities for participation.