THE SILLIMAN University Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences currently provides free physical therapy services in its PT clinic at the Angelo King Building.

The therapy services prioritize patients from low-income households who have little access to healthcare services.

“The IRS Free PT Clinic, which opened on December 1, aims to advocate better access to PT services for the underprivileged and provide high-quality and compassionate care amid the Covid19 pandemic,” the institute said.

IRS director Dr. Lily Ann Bautista said the main approach of the free PT Clinic program is to teach patients how they can continue their treatments at home and teach their caregivers, such as family members, how to manage the patient’s PT needs.

“Instead of requiring patients to have regular PT sessions in the clinic, the clinic aims to make sure that patients would be able to continue their physical therapy on their own and visit the clinic only for the progression of their home program or follow-up visits,” Bautista said.

The IRS director said the program also aims to shed light on the need to continue other forms of healthcare and treatments that are not related to Covid19.

The clinic will also provide practical experience for PT students in the university who are taking up their internship but cannot train outside Dumaguete City due to quarantine restrictions.

Bautisa said student-interns will provide the treatment in the clinic while being accompanied by IRS clinical instructors who are licensed physical therapists.

“Service-learning should start from the beginning of college education because this allows students to know what they’re serving, their capacity, and what is it that they’re in for. It’s about being involved and showing to the student the people they will be serving in the future,” Bautista said.

“Aside from promoting volunteerism and service-learning, the clinic can also be an avenue for research to assess current realities of patients in indigent communities,” she added.

Those seeking treatment from the clinic need to set an appointment through the clinic’s Facebook page at IRS Free PT Clinic   or can call 09168511522.

The clinic is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.