COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING (OGM) OF NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY HELD IN PORT-HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE ON FRIDAY 19TH APRIL 2024.

Preamble

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), the umbrella professional body of all Physiotherapists in Nigeria, had its first Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) for the year 2024 at the Conference Hall, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The OGM was a hybrid meeting held on Friday, 19th April 2024. As part of the activities lined up for the OGM, the NSP President in the company of the members of the National Executive Council (NEC) paid courtesy call on the Management of the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. The objective of the visit was to engage with the hospitals’ management about enhancing physiotherapy services and to explore opportunities for collaboration on the new WHO Rehabilitation 2030 Policy as being projected by the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTBN). 

The OGM was declared open by the NSP President. The President appreciated members for their support and commitment to NEC towards advancing the profession. He particularly recognized the effort and presence of Rivers State NSP Chapter, elders, teachers, State Chairmen and their Committees, members and MRTBN Registrar who were present during the OGM. The President briefed the OGM on the recent activities by NEC to include but not limited to the following:

1. Commencement of the process of training of NSP members on NSP and MRTBN Professional Codes of Ethics, Public Service Rules (PSR), Physiotherapy Scheme of Service (SOS) and Leadership/Administrative knowledge through bi-annual workshop on Professionalism, Ethics, Leadership and Management.

1. Ongoing NSP nationwide audit of Physiotherapists working in Federal Health Institutions as mandated by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare. This is to assess the vacancies created by the Brain Drain (Japa Syndrome) in recent times with a view to filling such vacancies.

The OGM carefully considered a number of issues of interest to physiotherapists, Physiotherapy profession, the Nigeria health industry and the nation at large. The OGM resolved as follows:

1. All Physiotherapists are implored to improve their practice in line with NSP and MRTB Codes of Ethics and Practice.

1. All Physiotherapists are encouraged to upgrade from general to specialist practice in order to meet global standards on WHO Competency Framework and best practices. The Postgraduate Physiotherapy College (PPC) offers specialized training for Physiotherapists in line with global standards and World Physiotherapy areas of specialization.
2. NSP will keep in focus the stakeholders’ consultation on the advice of the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare to NSP to explore the possibility of domiciling the Physiotherapy Residency Programme with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. The NEC in collaboration with representative of PPC are making consultation with relevant stakeholders on this matter.
3. OGM further resolved to celebrate the 65th anniversary of NSP on the 29th of August, 2024. The event is billed to hold in Abuja, and will feature anniversary lecture, awards and fund-raising for the NSP Secretariat Project.
4. OGM took special note of the delayed reports of the Management of Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba and that of MRTBN on the FMC, Asaba crisis which happened last year. The delay by MRTBN is reportedly due to the absence of Board of Management which has the power to take final decision on the recommendations of MRTBN panel. The OGM therefore mandated the NEC to release the NSP’s observer’s report of the hearings of both FMC Asaba and MRTBN panels; this is without bias to the information given by the Registrar of MRTBN that he is awaiting the Minister’s approval of the recommendations made by the panel. vi. OGM resolved that NSP workshop on Ethics, Public Service Rule and Scheme of Service is a compulsory requirement for NSP membership clearance.
5. OGM further resolved that NSP workshop on ethics, public service rule and scheme of service is a compulsory requirement for NSP membership clearance.

The OGM also featured:

1. The announcement of the 64th Annual Scientific Conference and 65th Annual General Meeting of the Society tagged “Joshospitality 2024” which will hold from 28th October to 2nd November 2024 in Jos, Plateau State.
2. Inauguration of the newly elected Executive Committee of NSP River State Chapter by the NSP President
3. Induction of seven new members as full members of NSP (MNSP).

Conclusion 

The NSP NEC expresses gratitude to the Almighty God for granting all attendees journey mercies and wishes all iNSPired members peace and prosperity in all their endeavors. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Oyinlola Felix Odusanya, PT, MPhil, FPPC, MNSP 

President

Dr. Davidson Okwudili John, PT, Ph.D, MNSP

 National Public Relations Officer