- Says state has only Seven Physiotherapist
By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapist (NSP) has called on the Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to declare a state of emergency in the field of Physiotherapy, saying Kaduna state has only seven Physiotherapists under the employment of state government who are the least paid across states of the federation.
Chairman Governing Council and President of the NSP, Taiwo Oyewumi, made the call while speaking during the 56th annual scientific conference and annual general meeting of the Nigeria society of Physiotherapy tagged ‘KADA 2016,’ with the theme, ‘ deepening the knowledge and practice of physiotherapy for effective patients’ care and professional advancement’ in Kaduna.
Oyewumi added that seven of the physiotherapists are centered only at the Barau Dikko hospital in the state metropolis with none at other part of the state under government pay roll.
He said, with the large population in the state, it need about 1500 physiotherapist to cater for the health needs of the people, noting that, “we have less than 10 Physiotherapist working under state; I don’t know how they are coping to manage the number of patients, it is a state of emergency and government should address it quickly.
“Physiotherapists in the employer of this state are about the least paid among the medical laboratory scientist, medical doctor and pharmacist of the profession; we have a scheme of services that is supposed to be applied but it is not.
“It would not be too good for Kaduna state to be training physiotherapist at diploma level – There is no single physiotherapy program at decree level for the betterment of the citizenry. This has made us move before the national assembly a bill for the enactment of an act for the establishment of National Post Graduate Physiotherapy College of Nigeria,” he emphasized.
The NSP President while calling on Governor El-rufai to start running of physiotherapy program at the state university, he further explained that the essence of the meeting was to raise awareness on the profession, demand for a better welfare package as it is applicable to other related health professionals, adding that, developments in the profession would be looked at during the meeting in order to educate members and drive at policies issues that will move the body forward.
Earlier speaking, the state chairman of the body, Stephen Obajuluwa, stressed that the awareness was necessary because many do not know the difference between the professionals in the hospitals; tagging physiotherapist as doctors. He noted that, “we are doctor by performance but not by appellation, ours is by third decree but with that, we want to be referred to as physiotherapist.”
“The physiotherapist has yet more a lasting solution for pain treatment in the medical circuit.