Pohnpei Department of Health and Social Services
September 15, 2026
Pohnpei – World Physiotherapy Day (World PT Day) is observed every year on 8 September. It marks the unity of the global physiotherapy community and celebrates the profession’s contribution to health. It was established in 1996, aligning with the founding date of World Physiotherapy in 1951, and in 2026 the theme focuses on cardiovascular disease and stroke, highlighting physiotherapy’s role in prevention, management, and rehabilitation.
The focus of this year’s World Physiotherapy Day was cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Stroke. This is part of a four year campaign focus on non-communicable diseases (2026–2029)
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 19.8 million deaths in 2022, about 32% of all global deaths. Of these, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.
According to the World Health Organization, the 3 leading causes of death in the Federated States of Micronesia in 2021 were:
• Cardiovascular Disease 161.4 deaths per 100,000 population
• Stroke 116.9 deaths per 100,000 population
• Diabetes Mellitis 77.8 deaths per 100,000 population
The population of FSM was reported to be 98,860 in 2025, so the numbers above are fairly representative of yearly mortality rates.
Physiotherapy helps prevent CVD by designing exercise programs, identifying risk, and promoting early action.
Stroke affects 1 in 4 people in their lifetime, but most strokes are preventable with lifestyle changes and regular exercise reducing risk significantly.
Mr. Jack Manlapaz, the Physiotherapy Supervisor at Pohnpei State Hospital, and his team help to improve mobility, balance, and quality of life during stroke recovery with the main goal being to restore lost function to pre-stroke condition or failing this, to achieve optimum function.
This may include using: motor skills exercises, mobility training and maintaining joint range of motion.
The sooner a person begins stroke rehabilitation, the more likely they are to regain lost abilities and skills.
The Pohnpei State Hospital Physiotherapy Department is currently working through a series of in-service training programs to review and maintain Best Practice Treatment of a range of conditions, including Stroke. These programs are being conducted by Australian Volunteers Program (AVP) Physiotherapy Mentor, David Taylor. The AVP is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Leave a Reply