Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) has opened a free physiotherapy service for children with special needs who have cerebral palsy, particularly those from inclusive centers in Sukoharjo. The program provides examinations as well as therapy to help improve the children's functional abilities and quality of life.
The Head of the Physiotherapy Program at UMS, Adnan Faris Naufal, Ftr., M.Biomed., stated that the service is not only intended as a form of community service, but also as a learning opportunity for students. Through this program, UMS Physiotherapy students are able to directly observe the conditions of children with special needs and learn appropriate therapies tailored to each patient's needs.
"Students assist those of us who already hold STR (Registration Certificates). So the students here serve in an assisting role," Adnan said on Saturday (14/2/2026).
UMS Physiotherapy students engaging in activities with children with special needs.He explained that based on feedback from the inclusive center, the children generally receive therapy only once a week. However, sometimes the children are unable to attend the therapy sessions according to the schedule set by the center.
Seeing this condition, he took the initiative to open additional free services at UMS. "So I took the initiative to open free services. For those who are unable to receive services at the inclusive center, they can come to UMS for free therapy," he explained.
The process works as follows: the center registers the children's names with the service administrator, and they will then receive a schedule for free physiotherapy every Monday at the UMS Physiotherapy Clinic.
The main target of this program is to help children from the inclusive center gradually improve their functional abilities.
"The goal is for the children from the inclusive center to gain functional abilities or improve their quality of life. That is the minimum goal," he concluded.
Writer: Maysali Sudarwati
Editor: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah
Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid
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