MRTBN Conference: Health Minister assures adequate healthcare services for PWDs; Udom begs members to reduce charges for PWDs

by Chris Agbo

Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTBN) on 18^th to 20^th of September, 2019 organized her 2^nd International Conference on Medical Rehabilitation Professionals in Abuja with the theme Strategic Initiatives for Sustainable Medical Rehabilitation Services in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa.

The Chairman, Governing Council, MRTBN Dr. Mrs. Umo Edem Udom in his opening speech thanked all members and organizations who registered to participate at the conference and urge them to put in practice the positives that will emerge from the conference. In special way, she welcomed the persons with disabilities invited, regarded them as their most important guests because without persons with disabilities, there will be no need for medical rehabilitation.

The Registar/CEO, MRTBN Dr. Mrs. Akanle Olufunke in the same vein welcomed the all participants, spoke on the objectives and the overview of the conference. She singled out and recognized all the dignitaries at the event. she urges the persons with disabilities at the event to feel free to ask questions because the conference is meant for address the medical needs of persons with disabilities.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullah who represented the Honourable Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire in a message from the Minister expressed government commitment towards strengthening medical rehabilitation and plights of persons with disabilities is in the priority list of this government which was shown through signing disability rights bill into law, he assured that government is working tirelessly to ensure that there is availability of adequate healthcare services for Nigerians with disabilities.

A keynote address on the theme of the conference was delivered by Prof. Abiodun Emmanuel Akinwuntan.

The event featured presentation of papers from physiotherapists and medical rehabilitation students. Some of the abstracts that were presented: Adjustable Foot Orthosis: An Alternative Treatment Intervention For Clubfoot by Maduako F.N, Nwadinigwe C.U, Ugorji T.N, Ezechinyere L, Integration of Occuptional Therapy services At Primary Healthcare Level in South Africa by Jejeleye A(MSc OT(Wits)), Maseko L(BSCs OT,MPH), Franzsen D(PhD), Objective Versus Subjective Measures of Physical Function In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain by Ezeukwu A.O, Ezeukwu G.N, Socio-Demographic And Environmental Factors Are Highest Predictors of Self-Reported Physical Activity Level in Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Low back Pain by Ezeukwu A.O, Ezeukwu G.N. Effect of Core Stability And Treadmill Walk Exercises On The Functional Status of Post Lumbar Surgical Patients With Low Back Pain: A pilot Study by Sumaila F.G, Sokunbi O.G, Consideration For Rehabilitation Guidelines For Failed Back Surgery Syndrome by Sokunbi O.G, Care-giving Burden and Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment in Kano by Abba M.A(MSc), Olaleye O.A PhD, Hamzat T.K PhD, FAAS, Short Interval Periodic Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Indirect Long-Term Remission of Symptoms in a patient with post-stroke depression by Hassan A.B (MSc), Danazumi M.S (MSc), Ishaku C.M(MSc), Sports Injuries Among National Athletes in selected sports at the National Sports Medicine Centres: A twelve-year survey by Salami P.E, Odebiyi D.O, Ogunkunle E.E , Nwachukwu A, Cross-cultural Adaptation and validation of The Yoruba version of Canadian Occupational Performance measure in Assessment of Persons with Neurological Conditions by Olatoki TD, Emmechette A, Adeniji Ayomipo, Establishment of Federal/State Medical Rehabilitation Hospitals in Nigeria: A Done deal? By Dr. Michael O. Ogunlana PhD.

The conference also featured presentations; Inclusion of Equity Insurance for the Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities- Prof Mohammed Nasiru Sambo-Executive Secretary, NHIS, and The use of Accurate data in Planning and Development of Physiotherapy and other medical rehabilitation professionals in Nigeria by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health.

The members of the board in responses to some questions raised by (Comrade Bala Tsoho, a person with disability and the principal of FCT Rehabilitation Centre, Bwari, Abuja on the need for the board to recommend to the government what a standard rehabilitation centre should be and Esther Akor, the expensive nature of physiotherapy services and how persons with disabilities can access effectively access these services) promised to include the specification of a standard rehabilitation centre should be in Nigeria in their communique at the end of the conference. Dr. Mrs Edem Umoh pleaded to members to reduce the charges to persons with disabilities and in some cases give the services free to persons with disabilities.

On the third day of the conference, free physiotherapy services were offered to some persons with disabilities from the FCT Rehabilitation Centre, Bwari Abuja. This was made possible by some professionals who volunteered to offer these services free at the event.

The conference witnessed the presence of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Audiologists, Speech Therapists, Orthotics and Prosthetics, Chiropractic and Osteopathic Medicine Practitioners, Physicians, Nurses, NGOs on Disabilities, Disabled People Organizations, Patients, Government Officials, Students and the general public.