A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 55TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND GENERAL MEETING (AGM) OF THE NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY (NSP) HELD AT THE REVERTON HOTELS, LOKOJA, KOGI STATE BETWEEN THE 25TH AND 30TH OF OCTOBER, 2015
PREAMBLE
The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) is the national professional body representing physiotherapists in Nigeria. The NSP believes that every individual is entitled to the highest possible standard of culturally adaptable healthcare provided in an atmosphere of trust and respect for dignity. The 55th Annual General Meeting of the NSP considered, deliberated and reviewed a number of issues of interest to physiotherapists, physiotherapy profession, the Nigeria health industry and the Nigeria nation in general.
At the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached:
1). RECENT TRAGEDY IN MECCA: The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) commiserates with the President, Commander-In-Chief of Nigeria Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chairman and Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic affairs on the recent tragedy that involved scores of Nigeria pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. We pray Almighty Allah to give the Nigeria nation the fortitude to bear the loss.
2). FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION: The NSP is in support of the efforts of this present administration in fighting corruption in all ramifications. The NSP urges President Buhari not to relent in his campaign against corruption and to ensure that an average Nigeria enjoy dividend of democracy.
3). NIGERIA POLIO-FREE STATUS: The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy congratulated the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and Nigerians on the recent presentation of polio-free certificate by the World Health Organization (WHO). The NSP acknowledges the efforts of the FGN, State and Local Governments in eliminating polio and supports the continuous drives at remaining a polio-free country. All health professionals also received deserving commendations. The NSP, however, drew attention the attention of the Federal Government to the plight of victims of poliomyelitis who require long-term rehabilitation- an aspect Physiotherapists had always provided their expertise.
4). HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) reinforced her belief and affirmed that Physiotherapy is a major component of preventive, promotive and curative health, and that the health delivery system (primary, secondary and tertiary) should be so structured to ensure every patient who requires Physiotherapy intervention have it as at when due without compromise on quality of care.
5). EMPLOYMENT OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS: The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy condemned the appalling state of employment of Physiotherapists where the ratio of Physiotherapists to patients in Nigeria is 1:42,000 (with a ratio of 1:430,000 in some states). The NSP enjoined governments at all levels to make the employment of Physiotherapists a high priority. The employment of Physiotherapists will make Physiotherapy services more available, accessible and affordable to the Nigeria populace, thereby improving their overall quality of life and health status.
6). BASIC MINIMUM ACADEMIC CURRICULUM: It was resolved that the deadline for all physiotherapy training schools in Nigeria to transit to the internationally acceptable physiotherapy curriculum is year 2020. The Physiotherapy profession regulator, the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria(MRTB) was enjoined not to accredit any training programme that is not in compliance with the prescribed curriculum that is in the best interest of the good people of Nigeria by year 2020. The Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) is urged to expedite action on the approval of the newly proposed curriculum.
7). POSTGRADUATE PHYSIOTHERAPY COLLEGE OF NIGERIA (PPCN): The AGM resolved that the Federal government should take over the administration of the PPCN forthwith. The PPCN has since produced two sets of Fellows of the College in various specialty areas. This is to afford the good people of Nigeria the opportunity of specialized physiotherapy care. No nation can boast of advanced healthcare delivery if she does not deploy specialized and individualized care. The Fellows of the PPCN in various specialty areas will render specialized and individualized physiotherapy care to the Nigeria populace and thereby raising the standard of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
8). ISSUE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY TECHNICIAN: The NSP is aware of training of physiotherapy technician by the Nigeria Army for the consumption of the Nigeria army only. The NSP noted with dismay the way School of Health Technology, Makarfi, Kaduna state and the Naval School of Technology, Offa Kwara State have all sprung up to start the training of physiotherapy technicians. Equally disturbing is the approval of the schools by the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB). The NSP reiterated that the minimum academic qualification for anyone to practice physiotherapy or anything related to physiotherapy as a profession is a University degree. The NSP therefore called on the MRTB to ensure clampdown on these training schools to safeguard the health of Nigerians.