Training cerebral palsy therapists in Uganda

We have funded two trained cerebral palsy therapists to run a training programme for community-based rehabilitation workers in Kampala, Uganda. A third trainer, also funded by the Foundation, will identify further opportunities for training which can then be used as part of a research project to measure the effectiveness of the training.

The programme is run by Cerebral Palsy Africa (CPA) and involves both therapies and practical skills to support the children and their families. CPA were invited to provide this training by the Ugandan group Hope for Cerebral Palsy (HoCePa Uganda), which has set up a network of parents of CP children in the Jinja district of Uganda. 

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a huge but hidden problem in most African countries. It is caused by poor maternity services, cerebral malaria, meningitis and HIV/AIDS, all of which can lead to irreversible brain damage. It is hidden due to a widespread belief that it is caused by witchcraft. As services are developed, shame and fear diminish and the number of children affected becomes clearer.

CPA’s African partners have recognised the need to introduce effective therapy services through systematic training for key resource personnel. Without the development of such expertise these children develop secondary problems and will not reach their potential.