Post: Varsity to Introduce Master’s in Rehabilitation Science to Help Physically Disabled

Nairobi: The Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) plans to introduce a Master's Degree Programme in Rehabilitation Science to train specialists on providing support services to those abled differently. The programme seeks to address the growing demand of specialists in physical therapy, speech therapy, and pathology, among other fields.According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mwangi Matheri, the Head of Rehabilitation Sciences Department at JKUAT, stated that the programme will help address the growing concerns of shortages of rehabilitation professionals and trainers in the country. This initiative comes at a time when the number of persons with some form of disability continues to rise.He mentioned that the university is working towards integrating the program into the Higher Education curricula to ensure sustainable training of qualified experts in physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, as well as pathology. The program is set to commence in September 2026, providing several o pportunities for graduates to work in universities as trainers, rehabilitation officers, and self-producing professional rehabilitators.Dr. Matheri highlighted the urgency of the program, noting the double burden of infectious and non-communicable chronic health conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa, which affects over 210 million people. Currently, the number of specialists in this field is insufficient.Prof. Graziella Van den Bergh, AfroRehab project leader, echoed Dr. Matheri's sentiments, revealing ongoing collaborations with several African countries to introduce similar programmes in their universities. She emphasized the importance of capacity-building and creating more professionals in this field.Prof. Van den Bergh encouraged students to enroll in the program to advance academically, enhance their careers, and assist the many people suffering from disabilities globally. Dr. Naomi Wanjiru, a lecturer from Moi University, added that the programme will bring essential services closer to the people, red ucing the need for costly and time-consuming travel to universities for expert services.Currently, those interested in pursuing the course often seek training and education abroad. The program is a collaboration between four African universities and two European universities from Norway and Finland.