Proceedings of the Activities At The 54th Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy Held at Asaba Delta State Between 2nd and 8th of November, 2014.
DAY ONE 3RD NOVEMBER, 2014
The Committee of Heads Of Departments
The Annual Conference opened with Committee of Heads of Physiotherapy Departments in Nigeria (CHOPDIN) Annual Scientific Workshop/ Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 3rd of November, 2014. The theme of the Workshop was “Physiotherapy in the Prevention of Lifestyle Related Diseases”. The AGM also took place the same day and some resolutions were arrived at. New officers were elected at this AGM which was the 15th edition.
DAY TWO 4TH NOVEMBER, 2014
The Pre-conference Workshops
There were two parallel pre-conference workshops on the second day of the conference. Dr. Birabi PT, PhD and Ladi Lawal (Physiotherapist based in Ireland) were the two resource persons.
DAY THREE 5TH NOVEMBER, 2014
The Plenary Session
The first plenary was presented by Mrs. Nina Chigbo (a Physiotherapist in the Exercise Immunology and Palliative Care unit, department of Physiotherapy, UNTH) on the role of physiotherapy in the management of terminally ill patients. Her presentation brought to fore the role of physiotherapy in a palliative care team.
The presenter suggested that the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy should put up a position paper to advocate for the inclusion of rehabilitation for the terminally ill patients on the list of care that can be accessed on the NHIS to address the burden the cost of care places on the clients.
She also proposed the establishment of palliative units/sub-specialty in more physiotherapy departments.
The Parallel Scientific Sessions
During the platform presentations of the parallel scientific session there were four presentations in group A.
Notable facts in this presentation are highlighted below:
Mr. Ezugwu Chijoke revealed that functional reach values decreases with increasing age in apparently healthy subjects in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria.
Mrs. Nottidge Bolanle presented the Ibadan low back pain disability outcome measure (locally designed validated instrument) for measuring pain and disability outcomes in Low back pain patients.
Dr. (Mrs. Ajiboye) presented two equations (for male and female) that can be used to predict six-minute walk test in a apparently healthy Nigerian population.
Mrs. Obiekwe Chinwe reported that self referral rate of caregivers of patients with Cerebral Palsy presenting at the physiotherapy department of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu was 6.3% showing that self referral rate is still very low in patients presenting with Cerebral palsy.
During the parallel session in group B there were three presenters present. Below is summary of the key points in these presentations.
Mrs. Chigbo Nina posited that prescribed exercise program seem to alleviate the side effects of treatment for a series of case of prostate cancer.
Mrs. Obiekwe Chinwe explained the possible palliative therapy intervention in a case report of myasthenic crisis.
Ms. Onuegbu Ngozi also presented a case study on treadmill intervention to prompt ambulation in a child with down syndrome.
The only poster presentation was done by Dr. Oyewole who emphasized that the side of stroke affectation significantly predicted motor recovery during rehabilitation of sub-acute stroke.
The Discussion Panels
The first discussion panel with Mr. Ogunlana M.O. moderating had Dr. Mouyo Okome, Dr. Paschal Mogbo, Mr. Tomi Ojetunde and Mrs Umoh Udom as panelists with various contributions from the audience. The following submission were made on first contact physiotherapy services
· Physiotherapist must upgrade their training (vis-a-vis Continous Professional Development, Postgraduate qualifications, Doctors of Physical Therapy and Specialization) in order to be able to effectively deliver first contact services to patients.
· Physiotherapist should be confident and also recognize their limits.
· Documentation should be more thorough and standardized with emphasize on physiotherapy (functional) diagnosis, goal settings, follow of patients and referral to other professional.
· There is need for people to be informed about physiotherapy profession through public enlightenment programs.
· Intern physiotherapists should not see patients at first contact as they are still under supervision of senior physiotherapy colleagues
The second discussion panel had Dr. Oluseye Kamaldeen moderating, with Dr Aderonke Akinpelu and Dr. Emmanuel John (Physiotherapy Academicians) as members of the panel. They revealed how students are being prepared for autonomous or first contact practice.
Dr. Aderonke Akinpelu presented a review and expansion of the University of Ibadan academic curriculum that is meant to prepare students for first contact and standard practice.
It was agreed that physiotherapy students need to be properly oriented on the role of physiotherapist as autonomous practitioner.
The third discussion panel was moderated by Ms Bakare Ummukulthoum with Mrs Oyekoya, Head of Department (HOD), Physiotherapy, of the National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi Lagos, Mrs. Imo HOD, Physiotherapy, National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu and Dr.(Mrs.) Ajiboye HOD, Physiotherapy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital as panelists. The focus of discussion was infection control in Physiotherapy with respect to the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic.
It was agreed that all physiotherapy units should develop standard operating procedures on patients handling, barrier physiotherapy using protective wares etc.
Also the need to always use gloves while handling patients was emphasised. Physiotherapy departments were advised to use disposable bed sheets.
DAY FOUR 6TH NOVEMBER, 2014
The Opening Ceremony, The 2nd Christopher Ajao Lecture and 2nd Thompson Abayomi Oshin Lecture.
The opening ceremony held at the Nelrose Hotel with the Honorable Supervising Minister of Health as the Special Guest of Honour. The Minister's speech was delivered by a representative. The Minister hinted on the request for Executive passage on the bill for the establishment of the National Postgraduate Physiotherapy College of Nigeria.
A major feature of the Opening Ceremony was the Official Inauguration of The Nwuga Partnership Foundation. Prof. Nwuga was the first African Professor of Physiotherapy and the first black to have published a book. He is an Emeritus Professor of Physiotherapy in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The 2nd Christopher Ajao lecture, instituted in honour of one of the co-founders of NSP was delivered by Dr. Muoyo Okome, PT, PhD, a Nigerian trained physiotherapist based in the USA. The topic of the lecture was "Embrace Diversity To Foster Unity, Progress and Viability In Our Time And For Posterity".
The 2nd Thompson Abayomi Oshin Lecture was delivered by Dr. E.B. John, an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy in Tuoro Nevada University, USA. His presentation was titled "First Contact Physiotherapy Practice: Implications For Stakeholders. He posited that Physiotherapists must upgrade their training in order to be able to effectively deliver first contact services to patients. The needs to practice first contact services were enumerated.
DAY FIVE 7TH NOVEMBER , 2014
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, GENERAL ELECTIONS, DINNER AND AWARD NIGHT
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday 7th of November. After the AGM, the President dissolved the National Executive Council elected 2 years ago. New officers were elected as follows:
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2014/2016
Oyewumi Taiwo J. (President) (Edo)
Imo Uzunma P. (Vice President) (Enugu)
Olaniyi Oladire (General Secretary) (Imo)
Jimoh Wasiu (Financial Secretary) (Osun)
Olumide Dada (Public Relations Officer [PRO] (Oyo)
Hassan Mohammed Sabiu ( Tresurer) (Yobe)
Odusanya Felix (Assistant General Secretary) (Oyo)
Ativie Rita (Assistant PRO I) (Enugu)
Adamu Usman Gamawa (Assistant PRO II) (Bauchi)
Jibril Sagir (Auditor I) (Kano)
Onuchukwu Chioma. L (Auditor II) (Enugu)
Eight deserving and eminent Physiotherapists were awarded the highest honour of the Society - Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (FNSP). Other physiotherapists were also given awards of recognition for their contributions to the Physiotherapy profession. The list included two Sport Physiotherapists attached to the two National Under-17 National Teams who are National Awardees. The Annual events were concluded with a sumptuous dinner.
DAY SIX 8TH NOVEMBER, 2014
All delegates departed to thier various destinations across the nation and beyond its borders