About the Initiative
Syria’s healthcare system has endured over a decade of conflict, severely compromising rehabilitation services. Thousands of civilians—including many with war-related injuries, disabilities, and chronic conditions—lack access to basic physiotherapy support. While local professionals continue to provide care with great resilience, many lack updated knowledge, equipment, or professional development opportunities.
This initiative seeks to establish a sustainable and scalable program to build local capacity in physiotherapy across Syria. Drawing from over 25 years of experience in physiotherapy and healthcare in Denmark—and rooted in a deep personal connection to Syria—this project leverages both professional expertise and cultural understanding to empower local health practitioners, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and rebuild a significant part of Syria’s healthcare system.
The initiative focuses on equipping local physiotherapists with upscaled global-level training, tools, and resources, fostering peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and building a network that bridges Syrian physiotherapy professionals with Danish and international experts. By focusing on education, infrastructure, and community involvement, this initiative will create lasting change in the Syrian healthcare landscape, with a special focus on conflict-related injuries, disabilities, and rehabilitation needs.
Education & Training
Establishing accredited physiotherapy training programs that meet international standards, with focus on evidence-based techniques tailored to Syria’s specific needs.
Infrastructure Development
Establishing new rehabilitation centers and refurbishing existing facilities to provide high-quality physiotherapy services and training spaces.
International Collaboration
Building partnerships between Syrian professionals and Danish and international experts for knowledge exchange and continuous learning.
Program Objectives
This initiative is designed to create lasting impact through four interconnected objectives that address the immediate needs while building sustainable capacity for the future.
- Strengthen Professional Competence — Provide evidence-based training to physiotherapists in Syria via workshops, webinars, and digital learning platforms, ultimately achieving Europe-level accreditation
- Establish Cross-Border Knowledge Network — Facilitate partnerships between Danish and Syrian professionals to exchange skills, share best practices, and co-develop practical solutions
- Support Local Infrastructure — Identify and equip key physiotherapy centers with essential tools, training materials, and technical support
- Enable Continuous Learning — Launch an ongoing mentorship program pairing Syrian practitioners with experienced physiotherapists in Denmark and globally
Program Leader
Wael Al-Aani
Physiotherapist & Program Lead
Experienced physiotherapist and project leader with over 25 years of professional experience in Denmark and the Middle East. Specialized in clinical rehabilitation, physiotherapy education, and assistive technologies for people with disabilities.
As a Syrian-born professional based in Denmark, Wael combines extensive clinical expertise with deep cultural understanding of the Syrian context. His career spans leadership roles including founding Movement Special Needs in Dubai (serving UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar) and Made for Movement in Denmark, where he introduced innovative rehabilitation aids to the Danish healthcare market.
Currently serving as Board Member of the Danish Physiotherapists’ Regional Board (Region Hovedstaden), Wael is ideally positioned to bridge Danish and Syrian healthcare systems. He holds a B.Sc. in Physiotherapy from VIA University College and is certified in advanced techniques including cervical and lumbar manipulation, shockwave therapy, and dry needling.
- Board Member, Danish Physiotherapists’ Regional Board
- B.Sc. in Physiotherapy, VIA University College, Denmark
- Fluent in Arabic, Danish, and English