Communique of the NSP OGM 2017 held in Enugu

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) held her first Ordinary General Meeting(OGM) of the year 2017 at the Nya Regency Hotel and Suites, Independence Layout, Enugu, Enugu State on Friday 5th of May 2016. The meeting was well attended with members from all state chapters and the FCT.The President, Dr Rufai Ahmad Yusuf who presided over the meeting led the OGM into an exhaustive sessions to discuss issues pertaining to the progress of the NSP and profession of Physiotherapy in Nigeria.
MATTERS ARISING

1) NPPCN Bill

The series of efforts at the National Assembly(NASS) to ensure unhindered passage of the National Physiotherapy Postgraduate College of Nigeria Bill into law were reported. The Bill is expected to go through the third reading at the NASS any moment from now. The OGM commended the efforts of the NEC and all the members for their supports. It also mandated that more efforts be put into following the Bill through.

2) Hand Over Process

It was observed that some reports were yet to be submitted as part of the hand-over process by the immediate past administration. Top among these are the reports by the NPPCN, 2016NSP Conference LOC and some Specialty Groups. The OGM resolved that the IPP should submit the reports of the affected committees/board on or before 6th of June, 2017.

3) NSP Reform Committee

The OGM unanimously approved the setting up of an ad-hoc committee, NSP Reform Committee. The members are:

* Dr(Col) Mogbo - Chairman
* Prof B O A Adegoke - Member
* Dr Umoh Udom - Member
* Dr Felix Faniran PT - Member
* Prof Victor Obajuluwa - Member
* Dr Sam Ibeneme - Member
* Dr Jao Kato PT - Member
* Dr Olufunke Ajiboye - Member
* Dr Akinola O. Afolabi PT - Secretary

The Terms of Reference of the Committee are:

• To look into the challenges facing the NSP from 1989 till date and recommend lasting solutions
• To make other recommendations from historical facts, documents, information, opinions and insights to move the profession of Physiotherapy forward in Nigeria

The committee was given three monthsto submit its report.

4) DPT Issues

The OGM was informed that the approval of DPT Programme by the relevant authorities including NUC is almost secured. The OGM commended the efforts of NSP and MRTBN so far, it enjoined them not to relent until the approval is given.

5) Re-positioning of Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care (PHC)

The OGM was updated on the series of meetingswith Professor Eyitayo Lambo concerning the re-positioning of Physiotherapy in PHC in Nigeria. This re-engineering effort by the incumbent NSP administration is aimed at primarily and frontally making physiotherapy services readily available in our communities, and promote employment of more Physiotherapists. The former Minister of Health who is now in charge of PHC matters in Nigeria has agreed to chair the NSP Stakeholders meeting on PHC scheduled to hold later in the year. The OGM adjudged the PHC plan as noble, and commended the President/NECfor being committed to it.

6) Landed/ Physical Property in Abuja

Following Mr President's unveiling of his administration's plan to secure a landed/ physical property in Abuja, the OGM commended it as long overdue and demanded NSP NEC to pursue it to a logical conclusion. The NEC was mandated to secure a rented office space to serve as Secretariat, in the interim, and employ an administrative officer to man it.

7) NSP e- Bulletin News Magazine

The OGM welcomed this new addition to NSP stables and encouraged its wide circulation along with the use of other mass media means to educate Nigeria public on Physiotherapy and the roles of physiotherapists in health, well-being and diseases.

8) NSP Strategic Plan

A five year(2018 - 2022) Strategic Plan aimed at re-positioning Physiotherapy in Nigeria was unveiled by NSP President and approved by the OGM. The plan will be subjected to further harmonization after which a Consultant will appointed to guide the strategic road map

9) NPPCN Board

The former Ag. Registrar of NPPCN, Rev’d Adeolu Jaiyesimi and the entire membership of the Board were thanked and commended for their efforts and contributions while their tenure of office lasted. The OGM went further to ratify the constitution of a new board of NPPCN as follows:
* Professor Adetoyeje Oyeyemi - President
* Dr Olufunke Ajiboye - Vice-President 1
* Dr Sam Ibeneme - Vice-President 2
* Dr Fidelis Iyor PT - Vice President 3
* Dr Seyi Olaseinde PT - Registrar
* Dr Iyabo Okulaja PT - Treasurer
* Dr Fatai Ade Adeniyi - Member
* Dr F O Faniran - Member
* Dr S G Achinwale - Member.

10) Specialty Groups
The OGM unanimously agreed that three Specialty groups (Cardiorespiratory, Orthopaedics and Womens Health) have not been responding to their assignments and duties to NSP.
It was resolved that the acronym“NSP” shall be mandatorily written along with each Specialty Group's name, NSP Guidelines for Specialty Groups shall be strictly adhered to and officers shall henceforth be ratified by NSP NEC in accordance with earlier decisions of NSP AGM on same subject matter.

11) Constitution Review

The OGM recognized some lacuna in the interpretation of the present NSP Constitution and its implementation over the years and hence recommended its immediate review. The committee is expected to report to the house in 3 months. The following members were ratified by the OGM as members of Constitution Review Committee
* Dr Segun Sotiloye PT - Chairman
* Dr Paul Salufu PT - Member
* Dr Ojinta Amalachukwu PT - Member
* Dr Olusegun Adejare PT - Member
* Dr Anekwu Emelie PT - Member
* Dr Nelly Fejokwu PT - Member
* Dr Nnaji Sunday PT - Member

12) NSP Investments Plan

The OGM welcomed with full support the mustered idea of investment plan that will entail having a business/ company name, "NSP Physiotherapy Service" as a good step in the right direction. The house unanimously gave the NEC the go ahead to embark on and be involved in any business that will profit NSP and benefit physiotherapists.

12) NSP Conference 2017

The 57th Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the NSP tagged, “Salt City 2017"will be hosted by Ebonyi State Chapter. The Theme of the Conference is, "Challenges of Universal Health Coverage: Physiotherapist as a Primary Health Care Provider" while the Sub-themes are, "Implementation of National Health Policy: A Case for Community Based Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Persons with Disability; and the Role of Physiotherapy in Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases". The host chairman, Dr Anekwu Morris PT, used the opportunity to specially invite all Physiotherapists in Nigeria to attend the conference which is scheduled to hold from 22nd to 28th October, 2017 at the Akanu Abiam Conference Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

13) NSP - WCPT Relationship

The OGM commended the harmonious professional relationship between the international body of Physiotherapy Associations and NSP. The OGM resolved that this relationship be sustained and made better by ensuring NSP efficient/ effective representation and fulfillment of all necessary obligations.

14) Rising Unemployment Rate

The OGM was concerned about the alarming rate of unemployment among our young graduates and similar or worse situation with securing place of internship upon graduation. It was therefore recommended that Physiotherapy Heads of Departments and Management of health institutions all over the country be written to determine the actual number of Physiotherapists in each institution compared to standards - cadre distribution, number of bed spaces and physiotherapists to patients/ bed space ratio be determined to justify our demands. Also, HODs are enjoined to ensure that their requests for employment and other needs of their departments are captured in the yearly budget of their respective institutions. The above decision was to be carried in conjunction with the MRTBN for effectiveness. The OGM however commended the NSP President and NEC for taking on the problem of unemployment headlong, especially on PHC plans, programmes on entrepreneurial skills, training on private practice and provision of links to securing funding for the interested physiotherapists to access start up financial assistance/ loan.

15) Early Membership

The OGM was moved to encourage Physiotherapy students and young graduates to take advantage of the NSP Constitutional provision of student and provisional membership ahead of full membership registration to fortify themselves with knowledge of professional ethics and relationship as they prepare for prosperous career in Physiotherapy.

15) State Chapters

The OGM commended the large turn out and chapter representations at Enugu of which attendance cut across all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It was recommended that regular meetings and welfare of members at the chapters be taken strongly.

16) NSP Dues

The OGM frowns at the situation where MRTBN allows license renewal of physiotherapists without provision of evidence of NSP Annual dues as previously agreed with MRTBN current registrar, Dr Funke Akanle PTand also at Lokoja AGM. The NEC was advised to clarify issues with the Board so as to ensure compliance. However, members are encouraged to pay their annual due promptly as a matter of loyalty and obligation to their professional body, NSP.

Signed

Peggy-Joe Odili.
National PRO NSP.