Posted on: Sat 16-11-2019

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY (NSP) AT THE END OF HER 59TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE , 60TH ANNIVERSARY AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) HELD AT NIGERIA NATIONAL MERIT AWARD HALL MAITAMA-ABUJA FROM 20TH - 26TH OCT., 2019.

 PREAMBLE

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) founded on 29th August, 1959 is the umbrella of the national professional body representing Physiotherapists in Nigeria. This year's conference and annual general meeting witnessed an impressive and unprecedented  turnout of over 600 delegates with an apparent passion for the progress of the Society. The week long of activities held at the VIP lounge of the MKO Abiola Stadium and the National Merit Award Hall Maitama- Abuja  from 20th - 26th Oct., 2019 started with the Committee of Heads of Physiotherapy Department in Nigeria (CHOPDIN) workshop and AGM - Theme: "Effective Implementation of the Established Clinical Specialties: An Instrument for Quality delivery of Physiotherapy Interventions,"  Pre-conference NSP workshops in collaboration with Nwuga Physiotherapy  Foundation(NPF), NPF annual distinguished Lecture, Plenaries, scientific sessions, Dinner and AGM. The events went on seamlessly and were highly interactive and Educative.

The Theme of the conference was- REVERSING HEALTH TOURISM: CALLING PHYSIOTHERAPISTS TO ACTION AS STAKE HOLDERS.

The event was declared open by the Chairman of the occasion Hon. Eng. Yunusa Ahmad Abubakar, member representing Yamaltu-Deba Constituency, Gombe State.

Other esteemed dignitaries that graced the event were:

Yogesh Singh who represented the Indian Ambassador to Nigeria,  Joseph David Salifu, the FCT Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria, The FCT Chairman Association of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Dr. Christopher Otabor, CEO Alliance Hospital, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, CEO Brain and Spine Surgery Consortium  (BASS Abuja), Kenechukwu Offor, Managing Director VIEWPOINT Systems Ltd e.t.c

The 7th Annual Thompson Abayomi Oshin Elite Lecture titled REFORMING HEALTH SECTOR GOVERNANCE TO ACHIEVE REVERSAL OF HEALTH TOURISM that focused on the Theme of the Conference was delivered by the keynote speaker, Dr. Sam Ibeneme while the 7th Christopher Agboola Ajao Lecture on CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND SOPs FOR REVERSING HEALTH TOURISM was brilliantly delivered by Dr. Jibril Nuhu.

The Oshin and Ajao Lectures were instituted in perpetuity in honour of the Co-founders of the NSP.

The 59th Annual General Meeting of  NSP considered, deliberated and reviewed a number of issues of interest to Physiotherapists, Physiotherapy profession, the Nigeria health industry and the Nation at large.

At the end of the AGM, the following resolutions were reached:

1. APPROVAL OF POLICY DOCUMENTS.

The NSP AGM approved four policy documents which included:

i. The NSP 5-year strategic plan.

ii. Reviewed NSP Ethics and Professional  Practice Guidelines.

iii. Postgraduate Physiotherapy College Ordinance.

iv. Reviewed NSP Constitution.

2. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF NSP.

The AGM approved issuance of certificate of compliance with the code of professional ethics of NSP in accordance with the section 2.1.6 of the Scheme of Service for Physiotherapy as signed into law by His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001. This became necessary in order to curb quackery and reduce unethical practices and also to compliment the efforts of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria (MRTB) in regulating training and practice of Physiotherapy in Nigeria. The AGM pronouncement will be followed with letters to the relevant authorities in Nigeria for immediate implementation.

3. HEALTH CARE DELIVERY.

The NSP unveiled her plan to support the Government's agenda for Reversing Health Tourism. The 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 that every patient who required Physiotherapy intervention had it as at when due without compromise on the quality of care. The Christopher Agboola Ajao Lecture on CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND SOPs FOR REVERSING HEALTH TOURISM and The Thompson Abayomi Oshin Lecture on REFORMING HEALTH SECTOR GOVERNANCE TO ACHIEVE REVERSAL OF HEALTH TOURISM in Nigeria further revealed that the Physiotherapists in Nigeria were really working the talk and relied on the government policies to favor the profession down to the Primary Health Care level.

The approval of DPT and establishment of Postgraduate Physiotherapy College which serve as foundation for acquiring clinical proficiency and competence, important factors needed to keep Physiotherapy patients in Nigeria for treatment, were celebrated.

The NSP is currently partnering with 8 hospitals/center in each geo-political zone and FCT to establish Centers of Excellence in 8 Physiotherapy specialty areas. The NSP has offered to support the hospitals/center with advanced training, part sponsorship for training abroad and facilitation of Health Tourism to Nigeria through partner associations in other countries.  Specialty Groups are currently developing contents for the training.

4. POST GRADUATE PHYSIOTHERAPY COLLEGE (PPC).

In her bid to produce thorough and astute Clinicians of both National and International repute, the Society (NSP) sponsored and pushed Physiotherapy Postgraduate College (PPC) Bill through the 1st and 2nd reading during the 8th Assembly. The Bill also scaled through the Public hearing with an overwhelming support at the House of Representatives in the National Assembly. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bill was not passed before the expiration of the 8th Assembly.

Futher to the Society's preparedness for an efficient running of the college while setting up advance structures for the college with her meagre resources,

The PPC inducted

five fellows of the PPC into the various Faculties of the college. They include the following:

1. Dr. Henry Onuwe, Faculty of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy.
2. Dr. Olusola O Ayanniyi, Faculty of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy.
3. Dr. Sam Ibeneme, Faculty of Neurophysiotherapy.
4. Prof. TK Hamzat, Faculty of Neurophysiotherapy.
5. Prof. Ganiyu Shokunbi, Faculty of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy.

5.FELLOW NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY (FNSP).

The AGM also approved the highest honors of the profession -FNSP to the following members for their contributions to the development of the profession.

1. Dr. Taiwo Oyewumi
2. Dr. Usman Zubair
3. Dr. Iyabo Okulaja
4. Dr. Sam Ibeneme
5. Prof. TK Hamzat

They will be conferred with the fellow of NSP at the next AGM in Lagos.

6. EXTERNAL AUDIT OF NSP FINANCES.

External audit report of finances of the NSP was submitted to the AGM and this has been approved to be a consistent activity to ensure transparency and accountability.

7. RECONCILIATION MEETING.

The AGM strongly affirmed that the NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY's (NSP) NAME, IDENTIFY, CONSTITUTION and STRUCTURES were SACROSANCT and therefore, a NO-GO-AREA.

8. CONFERENCE HOSTING.

The AGM re-affirmed that EKO NSP will host 2020 NSP  Annual Scientific Conference and AGM.

The Secretariat was therefore mandated to remind them and write them letters to that effect.

Dated this 5th November, 2019.

Dr. Rufai Ahmad

President .

NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY.

Oyinlola Felix Odusanya.

 National General Secretary .

NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY.

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