The College of Health Sciences (CoHS) at Gulf Medical University marked World Physiotherapy Day 2026 through a coordinated awareness programme conducted across six different sites on 08 September 2026.
The event focused on stroke prevention and cardiovascular health, with an emphasis on helping participants understand how everyday lifestyle choices, physical activity, recognition of warning signs, and early preventive action can influence long-term cardiovascular and neurological health. Through practical and easy-to-understand activities, the programme aimed to improve awareness, promote physical activity, encourage the reduction of modifiable risk factors, and support informed health behaviours. The event also highlighted the important role of physiotherapy in prevention, health promotion, and patient education, in addition to its established role in rehabilitation.
Rather than limiting the event to poster-based health education, the activities were designed to actively engage participants. Depending on the site, participants had their vital signs checked, discussed heart rate and exercise intensity, completed lifestyle or stroke-risk assessments, participated in movement and coordination activities, practised recognising stroke warning signs, and classified common daily habits as beneficial or harmful. Each activity was followed by a brief explanation, ensuring that participants left with a clear and practical preventive message that could be applied in their daily lives.
Activities conducted across six locations
- Gulf Medical University – Main Foyer
- Gulf Medical University – Library Foyer
- Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital
- Thumbay University Hospital
- Thumbay Hospital Ajman
- Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya
Under the esteemed leadership of our Dean, Dr. Praveen Kumar, and with the guidance and encouragement of our Chairperson and Associate Dean of Clinical, Dr. Ramprasad Muthukrishnan, along with the support of the BPT Program Director, Dr. Kumaraguruparan Gopal, the organizing team, led by Dr. Watson Arulsingh, Associate Professor, organized the World PT Day 2026 activities together with Mr. Balaabishek, MPT II Year, and Ms. Mehak Gulati, MPT II Year.
The primary student organizing team comprised the Fourth Year BPT and Second Year MPT cohorts, with support from Third Year BPT volunteers. Additional MPT student volunteers contributed to selected sites based on the requirements of each location. This coordinated structure enabled the activities to be conducted simultaneously across all six sites while ensuring continuous faculty supervision and effective implementation at each location.
The Fourth Year BPT organizers led activities at the GMU Main Foyer, GMU Library Foyer, TPTR, and TUH, supported by Second Year MPT organizers and Third Year BPT volunteers at Thumbay Hospital Ajman and Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The initiative promoted awareness of cardiovascular health and stroke prevention through patient education, health-promotion activities, and collaborative initiatives implemented across six different sites.
1. Gulf Medical University – Main Foyer
Location: Main Foyer, Gulf Medical University, Ajman
The Main Foyer was organized as a combined cardiovascular and stroke-prevention awareness area. Participants moved through a series of practical stations that connected basic cardiovascular assessment and exercise guidance with stroke recognition, movement, balance, and coordination. The activities were designed for students, staff, and visitors and were kept simple and engaging, allowing participants to understand the key messages through brief interactions.
Cardiovascular Awareness Stations
Station 1: Heart Health Check
The Heart Health Check introduced participants to basic cardiovascular monitoring and the relationship between exercise intensity and heart rate. Blood pressure and pulse were checked where appropriate, and the findings were used as a starting point for discussions on cardiovascular health. Participants were also introduced to perceived exertion, helping them understand exercise intensity not only in terms of numerical measurements but also in relation to how strenuous an activity feels during performance
The main preventive message was that regular physical activity should be performed at an appropriate and sustainable intensity. Basic measures such as blood pressure and resting pulse can also help identify the need for further attention when readings are repeatedly abnormal. Participants were encouraged to maintain consistent physical activity rather than relying on occasional intense exercise.
Station 2: Move More, Sit Less
This station addressed prolonged sitting and low levels of daily physical activity. Participants completed a short 30-second movement challenge and were then shown how small movement breaks could be incorporated into study, office work, and other sedentary routines. The activity was deliberately brief to demonstrate that interrupting prolonged sitting does not require a formal workout.
The preventive strategy focused on reducing uninterrupted sedentary time by standing, walking, or performing light movements at regular intervals, while also working towards a generally active lifestyle. The key takeaway was that cardiovascular prevention is influenced by what a person does throughout the day, not only by scheduled exercise sessions.
Neurological and Stroke-Prevention Stations
Station 3: Stroke Action Role-Play and Preventive Trivia
Participants were presented with simple stroke-related scenarios and asked to identify the appropriate response. The activity focused on recognizing common warning signs of stroke and understanding that a suspected stroke requires urgent medical attention. The role-play format allowed participants to practice how they would respond rather than simply reading information from a poster. Preventive questions were also used to reinforce awareness of modifiable risk factors and healthy behaviours.
The central message was the importance of early recognition and immediate action. Participants were reminded that sudden facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, or other sudden neurological changes should not be observed at home in the hope that they will improve. The preventive component also reinforced the importance of regular physical activity and managing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors as part of reducing stroke risk.
Station 4: Brain-Body Reaction Circuit
The Brain-Body Reaction Circuit featured a light movement course involving reaction, balance, and coordination. Participants followed visual or verbal cues while completing simple tasks using floor markers and cones. The station demonstrated how neurological function depends on the integration of attention, movement planning, balance, and coordinated motor responses.
The key takeaway was that regular physical activity supports both cardiovascular and functional health. The station also helped to connect the day’s stroke-prevention message with the functional abilities that may be affected following a neurological event.
Gulf Medical University – Main Foyer – Faculty and Student Team
Faculty and Student Team
Faculty In Charge: Varoon J
Faculty / MPT:
2025MPT05 Balaabishek Ramaprabaharan
Fourth Year BPT Organizers:
2023PT28 Malak A. H. Khalil; 2023PT11 Mayar Ghannam; 2023PT26 Myasser Dana Atallah; 2023PT25 Maitha Mohammed Sultan Alsubaithat Alaleeli; 2023PT44 Mariam Ezadeen; 2023PT01 Suad Tareq Mnla Hassan; 2023PT02 Jana Mohamed Tolba Mohamed; 2023PT15 Karin Hany Samir Eid Awad; 2023PT08 Maitha Salem Mohamed Raqet Alsuwaidi; 2023PT40 Viola Ashraf Shenouda Zaky; 2023PT07 Mahra Mahmoudizadeh; 2023PT16 Wajd Nidal Assad Said Mousa; 2023PT29 Alya Abdalla Sabt Salim Alhammadi; 2023PT30 Rim Samir Refai; 2023PT42 Taha Abdulsameea Khaleel; 2023PT35 Omar Mohsen Mohamed Soliman Zeneldeen; 2023PT47 Abdullah Abdul Rashid; 2023PT27 Shreya Konda.
Third Year BPT Volunteers:
2024PT16 Jiya Sunil Dadhaniya; 2024PT32 Aliya Jessica Ongtangco Solivet; 2024PT10 Shatakshi Mohan; 2024PT11 Nandana Nair; 2024PT27 Zainab Al Haque; 2024PT41 Kimia Dalir; 2024PT24 Hanan Al Shaar; 2024PT48 Hanan Ghaderi
2. Gulf Medical University – Library Foyer
Location: Library Foyer, Gulf Medical University, Ajman
The Library Foyer featured the same overall theme with a different set of interactive activities, covering cardiovascular health and stroke/neurological awareness. The activities combined exercise education, lifestyle discussions, a question-based game, and a movement challenge.
Cardiovascular Awareness
Target Heart-Rate Zone: Participants learned about exercising within an appropriate heart-rate range and using perceived exertion to monitor exercise intensity. The activity highlighted the importance of gradually building regular aerobic activity and maintaining appropriate exercise intensity for cardiovascular health.
Heart-Healthy Habits: Participants discussed everyday habits that influence cardiovascular health, including increasing physical activity, reducing prolonged sitting, and making sustainable lifestyle choices. The station emphasised that prevention is supported by consistent, manageable habits.
Neurological and Stroke-Prevention Awareness
Stroke Trivia Wheel: Through an interactive question-based game, participants tested their knowledge of stroke, cardiovascular risk, and prevention. Key messages included recognising stroke warning signs, understanding stroke as a medical emergency, and identifying modifiable risk factors.
Neuro Navigation: Participants completed simple movement and coordination tasks using directional cues, combining attention with motor responses. A seated option was available where required. The activity highlighted the importance of coordination, balance, attention, and movement control in everyday function and stroke rehabilitation.
Gulf Medical University – Library Foyer – Faculty and Student Team
Faculty In Charge: Dr. Rajasekar S
Faculty / MPT:
2025MPT01 Sara Roshan; Keerthana; 2026MPT04 Sara Mohamed Abdelmohsen Elsayed Amer; 2026MPT06 Mariam Ayman Hemida Attia Deif
Fourth Year BPT Organizers:
2023PT10 Keith Ayman Alim; 2023PT13 Rahul Ghag; 2023PT17 Ghaya mohamed ibrahim alkhadir Alsuwaidi; 2023PT45 Meithah Khaleifah Abdulla Albaz Alkaabi; 2023PT48 Fatmabibi Mohammadashraf Munshi ; 2023PT22 Zainab Ali Hassan Abdulla Darwish; 2023PT34 Maryam Sudhair Khan; 2023PT19 Ghalia Chmeis Zakaria; 2023PT49 Ahmad Barbar; 2023PT32 Ziad Tariq Al Sedawi; 2023PT24 Mohammad Hassan Sankari; 2023PT20 Leen zakaria hashim alramahi; 2023PT41 Mayar Husam Daoud Naser.
Third Year BPT Volunteers:
2024PT42 Huma Zafar; 2024PT05 Falak Nasir Shaikh, 2024PT29 Aysha Lamiya; 2024PT49 Sara Ihab Adel Awad; 2024PT02 Mingyue Liu; 2024PT19 Jana Hamzeh Ismail Sheikh; 2024PT25 Mariam Tarek Mohammed Aly; 2024PT47 Zeina Tarek Abdelmonam Elmenshawy; 2024PT38 Jessy Anes Samer Anes Ghaly
3. Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital
Location: Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, Ajman
At TPTR, the programme was conducted in a clinically appropriate format for patients, visitors, and staff. The activities included vital-sign assessment, BMI assessment, the AHA Lifestyle Questionnaire, and an interactive lifestyle game. Each station combined simple screening with brief, individualised health education, ensuring that the measurements were accompanied by appropriate explanations.
Station 1: Vital Signs Assessment
Participants underwent basic vital-sign assessment, with particular attention to cardiovascular measures such as blood pressure and pulse. The activity helped participants become more familiar with commonly monitored cardiovascular parameters while providing an opportunity to discuss the importance of not ignoring persistently abnormal readings.
The preventive message focused on maintaining regular awareness of cardiovascular health, particularly for individuals with known risk factors or limited routine health monitoring. Participants were reminded that a single screening value is not a diagnosis and that concerning or repeatedly abnormal findings require appropriate medical review.
Station 2: BMI Assessment
Body mass index (BMI) was used as a simple screening measure to facilitate discussion about body weight and cardiovascular risk. The activity was not presented as a complete assessment of health or body composition, but rather as a way to explain how excess body weight can contribute to an overall risk profile when considered alongside physical inactivity and other lifestyle factors.
The key takeaway focused on sustainable weight management through regular physical activity and healthier daily habits, rather than short-term or extreme approaches.
Station 3: AHA Lifestyle Questionnaire
Participants completed a short lifestyle questionnaire focused on cardiovascular health behaviours. Their responses helped identify areas of their daily routines that could be improved and guided the subsequent health education, making the interaction more relevant to individual needs.
The activity encouraged participants to recognize modifiable behaviours and identify practical changes that could be maintained beyond the event. It also reinforced that cardiovascular prevention is influenced by multiple lifestyle behaviours rather than a single factor.
Station 4: Green Card and Red Card Lifestyle Game
The interactive game used a simple healthy-habit versus harmful-habit format. Participants were presented with statements describing common daily behaviours and asked to classify them using green cards for healthier choices or red cards for behaviours that could contribute to cardiovascular or stroke risk.
Following each choice, students explained why the habit was beneficial or potentially harmful and linked it to prevention. This made the activity an engaging awareness exercise rather than simply a right-or-wrong quiz. The key takeaway was that many cardiovascular and stroke risk factors can be influenced by repeated everyday choices.
Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital – Faculty and Student Team
Faculty In Charge: Dr.Meruna B
Faculty / MPT:
2025MPT02 Omar Ahmadi Ahli
Fourth Year BPT Organizers:
2023PT31 Ali Saeed Abdulla Bin Koweer; 2023PT06 Fidha Fathima; 2023PT03 Kayleen Mary Rebello; 2023PT38, Keerthivas Ramkumar; 2023PT12 Zainab Ali Fauz; 2023PT04 Saoud Jamal Mohamed Omer Barwaih.
4. Thumbay University Hospital
Location: Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman
At Thumbay University Hospital, the main public-engagement activity was the Green Card and Red Card Cardiovascular and Stroke Prevention Game. The activity was selected because it could be completed efficiently by patients, visitors, and staff while providing an opportunity for meaningful discussion on cardiovascular and stroke prevention.
Station 1: Green Card and Red Card Cardiovascular and Stroke Prevention Game
Participants were presented with statements describing daily habits, health behaviours, or common situations and were asked to classify each statement as either green, representing a beneficial or preventive behaviour, or red, representing an unhealthy behaviour or a potential cardiovascular or stroke risk.
The value of the activity extended beyond the participants’ responses, with the team providing an explanation following each choice. The students discussed why a particular behaviour was considered helpful or harmful and related it to modifiable cardiovascular and stroke risk factors. This conversational approach encouraged participants to ask questions and discuss habits that were relevant to their own daily routines.
The key preventive messages focused on the importance of regular physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviour, maintaining healthier daily routines, and taking cardiovascular risk factors seriously. The stroke prevention component also reinforced the importance of recognising warning signs and seeking urgent medical attention when a stroke is suspected.
Station 2: Brief Prevention Counselling
Following the game, participants received a brief explanation of the key preventive messages highlighted through their responses. The counselling was intentionally kept concise, considering the hospital setting, while ensuring that each participant left with a clear and practical action point rather than simply remembering the game.
Thumbay University Hospital – Faculty and Student Team
Faculty In Charge: Dr. Mamdouh G
Faculty / MPT: Organizers
2026MPT01 Zia Sameer Nanji ; 2025MPT07 Faith Khatonde Omusonga
Fourth Year BPT Organizers:
2023PT14 Fatima Fida; 2023PT23 Irfana Ossaruveettil Ismail; 2023PT33 Joanne Joju John; 2023PT39 Saleh Habeib Abdulla Mohamed Alzaabi; 2023pt37 Sara Sadat Nikou Kalam Mozaffar; 2023PT46 Namah Abdulla Abdulghafoor Mohammed Alawadhi
5. Thumbay Hospital Ajman
Location: Thumbay Hospital Ajman, Ajman
At Thumbay Hospital Ajman, a compact cardiovascular and stroke-awareness programme was conducted in a format suitable for a hospital foyer. The activities focused on heart health awareness, identification of modifiable stroke risk factors, brief prevention counselling, and interactive patient education. The sequence encouraged participants to first reflect on their own health behaviours and then receive simple, practical preventive guidance.
Station 1: Know Your Heart
Participants completed a short lifestyle-awareness check covering behaviours relevant to cardiovascular health. The purpose was not to diagnose cardiovascular disease, but to encourage participants to reflect on their daily routines and identify behaviours that may increase or reduce cardiovascular risk.
The key takeaway was that prevention begins with awareness of personal habits. Participants were encouraged to recognise opportunities to incorporate regular physical activity and other healthier lifestyle choices into their daily routines.
Station 2: Know Your Stroke Risk
A brief stroke-risk assessment was used to facilitate discussion about modifiable factors associated with stroke. The questions provided a structured and accessible way to begin a conversation about stroke risk rather than presenting participants with a lengthy list of information.
The preventive strategy focused on addressing modifiable risk factors and understanding the connection between cardiovascular health and stroke prevention. Participants were also reminded that awareness of risk should be accompanied by appropriate lifestyle changes and medical follow-up when necessary.
Station 3: Prevention Counselling
Following the awareness checks, the team provided brief, individualised counselling based on the issues identified during the interaction. The advice focused on practical daily actions, allowing participants to identify changes that were realistic and achievable within their own routines.
The key message was that small changes are most beneficial when practised consistently. Accordingly, the station emphasised achievable and sustainable prevention rather than presenting participants with an unrealistic list of changes to implement all at once.
Station 4: Interactive Prevention Game and Take-Home Education
The awareness activities were reinforced through a simple interactive cardiovascular and stroke-prevention game. Participants were asked to identify whether common behaviours were helpful or harmful, followed by an explanation from the team outlining the reasoning behind each answer.
Take-home educational materials were also provided to reinforce the key preventive messages and support continued awareness after the interaction.
Thumbay Hospital Ajman – Faculty and Student Team
Faculty In Charge: Dr. Satheeskumar D
Faculty / MPT: Organizer
2025MPT03 Mehak Gulati; 2026MPT03 Shama Fathima Mohammed
Third Year BPT Volunteers:
2024PT26 Zohair Shabbir Husain; 2024PT30 Yahya Bieassy
6. Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya
Location: Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya, Ajman
At Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya, the same core cardiovascular and stroke-prevention activities conducted at Thumbay Hospital Ajman were adapted to suit the flow of an outpatient clinic. The activities were designed to provide meaningful health education without requiring lengthy interactions, making them suitable for patients and accompanying visitors attending the clinic.
Station 1: Know Your Heart
A short lifestyle-awareness check was conducted to encourage participants to reflect on their cardiovascular health and everyday behaviours. The questions served as prompts for discussion and enabled the team to focus the health education on areas that were relevant to each individual participant.
Station 2: Know Your Stroke Risk
Participants were guided through a brief assessment of modifiable stroke-related risk factors. The activity helped establish the connection between stroke prevention and overall cardiovascular health, while reinforcing that prevention extends beyond recognising stroke symptoms after they occur.
Station 3: Prevention Counselling
Following the awareness checks, the team discussed practical preventive strategies with participants. The advice focused on realistic and achievable behaviour changes, particularly maintaining regular physical activity, reducing prolonged inactivity, and paying attention to known cardiovascular risk factors.
Station 4: Interactive Prevention Game and Take-Home Education
The final activity used a simple healthy-versus-harmful habit format to reinforce the key messages of the programme. Participants classified common daily behaviours and received an explanation for each answer. This interactive approach helped translate general prevention advice into practical examples that participants could relate to in their everyday lives.
Educational materials were also provided to reinforce the key messages after participants left the station.
The overall takeaway from the clinic site was that cardiovascular and stroke prevention can begin with routine decisions made every day. The programme also highlighted the important role of physiotherapy in promoting safe physical activity, functional health, and preventive education.
Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya – Faculty and Student Team
Faculty In Charge: Dr. Animesh H
Faculty / MPT: Team
2025MPT06 Mohammed Fadl Rasheed; 2026MPT02 Noora
Third Year BPT Volunteers:
2024PT44 Farhan Koyaliparambil Faizal; 2024PT12 Jerome James Chempakassery
Overall Event Summary and Conclusion
World Physiotherapy Day 2026 at Gulf Medical University was successfully conducted across six locations simultaneously, enabling the Department of Physiotherapy to take a unified prevention-focused theme into both university and clinical settings. While the activities were adapted to suit each location, the core message remained consistent: cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention require greater awareness, regular physical activity, attention to modifiable risk factors, and timely action when warning signs are present.
The Main Foyer and Library Foyer offered a broader, station-based experience that combined cardiovascular health education, stroke recognition, and neurological movement activities. In comparison, the hospital and clinic sites adopted shorter screening, questionnaire, counselling, and interactive game-based formats that were more appropriate for patients, visitors, and staff within clinical environments.
A key strength of the programme was its emphasis on active participation rather than passive information sharing. Activities such as checking pulse and blood pressure, discussing exercise intensity, completing lifestyle questionnaires, responding to stroke scenarios, and identifying healthy or harmful daily habits through the Green Card and Red Card game encouraged participants to actively engage with the health messages. The explanations provided following each activity were equally important, helping to transform participation into meaningful and practical preventive-health education.
The programme also highlighted the important preventive and health-promotion role of physiotherapy. Across all six locations, physiotherapy was presented not only as a profession associated with rehabilitation following disease or disability, but also as an integral part of physical-activity promotion, risk-factor awareness, functional health, healthy lifestyle practices, and community health education.
Overall, the six-site programme provided an accessible and coordinated platform for cardiovascular and stroke-prevention education across Gulf Medical University and participating Thumbay healthcare facilities, reinforcing the importance of healthy daily choices and preventive care.
Dr. Praveen, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University, commended the initiative and highlighted its contribution to promoting a culture of health awareness, prevention, and community engagement. He emphasised that the programme demonstrated the valuable role of physiotherapy in extending beyond rehabilitation to support disease prevention, physical-activity promotion, health education, and improved community well-being.
The successful implementation of the programme reflects the College of Health Sciences’ commitment to experiential learning, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the promotion of healthier communities through meaningful health-awareness initiatives.
Students’ Reflection
Jiya Sunil Dadhaniya (Reg. No. 2024PT16) stated, “Celebrating World Physiotherapy Day 2026 was a truly meaningful experience and a wonderful opportunity to contribute to an initiative focused on cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness. I had the privilege of leading and representing the 26th anniversary of the BPT Program at Gulf Medical University, highlighting its journey, achievements, and important milestones.
Alongside my fellow students, I was involved in organizing interactive and informative awareness stations across multiple sites, including Gulf Medical University, Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Hospital Ajman, and Thumbay Clinic Rashidiya. The event provided a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the role of physiotherapy in prevention, risk reduction, rehabilitation, patient education, and improving quality of life.
Being part of this celebration allowed me to learn, connect, lead, and contribute to an initiative that celebrates both our profession and the 26-year journey of the BPT Program. It was an experience I will always cherish.”
Mehak Gulati, Clinical Preceptor, commented, “World PT Day 2026 was a valuable opportunity for our students to actively contribute to promoting awareness about cardiovascular health, stroke prevention, physiotherapy, and the importance of patient education. The event was conducted across six sites, providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage with the community and showcase the vital role of physiotherapy.
The celebration of 26 years of the BPT Program at Gulf Medical University made the occasion particularly special. I was pleased to see the dedication, enthusiasm, and teamwork demonstrated by the students throughout the activities.
I sincerely appreciate the support, guidance, and encouragement that contributed to the successful planning and execution of the event. It was a rewarding experience and a meaningful opportunity to celebrate our profession and the continued journey of the BPT Program.”
The College of Health Sciences congratulates the BPT program on 26 years of excellence and looks forward to many more years of impactful education, innovation, and contribution to the physiotherapy profession.
