NSP opens channels for collaboration

The President,  Dr. Nnenna Nina Chigbo (PT) on Thursday 10th December 2020 led a three man delegation which had NSP secretary Dr. Usman Abba Ahmed (PT) and the President of the Physiotherapy postgraduate college Professor Adetoyeje Yunus Oyeyemi (PT) in it to pay courtesy visits separately to the honorable ministers of state for health Hon. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora and that of education Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

During the visit to the minister of health, the president expressed NSP unalloyed support for the vision of the ministry, especially in the areas of Universal healthcare coverage, the policy on physical activity and wellness, support of persons with disability and the review of their bill, curbing the menace of health tourism by the improvement of Physiotherapists skills and welfare of all healthcare professionals. 
She also sought the support of the minister in several areas which includes:

• The recognition of our post graduate college and residency training.
• Improvement of correspondence between Ministry and NSP, and inclusion of our members in ministerial committees.
• Proposed policy by NSP on physical activity for better health.
• Establishment of Central internship training placement for fresh graduates of Physiotherapy.
• Increase in the number of Physiotherapists appointed to the Boards of tertiary health facilities and other agencies of the Ministry.

The honourable state minister health commended the role Physiotherapists play in the healthcare sector, he notably thanked and commended NSP covid taskforce for the response we gave during the beginning of the pandemic. 

Later, the President and her team visited the Hon. minister of state for education and presented him with the following areas which the cooperation and support of his ministry will help promote the course of Physiotherapy education in Nigeria, top most on the list is request that ministry of education gives all necessary support for our postgraduate college. Amongst other items discussed are:

• Enhancement of undergraduate Physiotherapy students training fund in other to provide adequate infrastructures in the teaching hospital and manpower by balancing the teacher-student ratio. If achieved, will also enhance the implementation of the recently approved DPT curriculum.
• Inclusion of physiotherapists in ministerial committees as NSP boasts of members with expertise in research and development strategies.
• It was proposed that the minister calls a stakeholders meeting for the involvement of private sector in optimisation of standardized training in Physiotherapy and medical  sciences as a whole
• Creation of simulation laboratories in our training institution for better clinical training.

The ministers assured the team of their total support and commitment towards the development of Physiotherapy profession and encouraged NSP to work closely with the ministries in other to achieve set goals. 

The President also demonstrated that she walks her talks by leading the delegates to identify with the Association of Polio Survivors of Nigeria and President Para soccer Federation of Nigeria.