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The Abuja Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy has marked the World Physiotherapy Day.
The event which held at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital Abuja, attracted members of the society from the Federal Capital and featured several lectures by professionals.
According to a message from the society, “Physiotherapists help people of all ages affected by injury illness or disability through various modalities including education and advice.” The professionals also help people manage pain and prevent diseases.
The World Physiotherapy Day is celebrated annually and an opportunity for physiotherapists all over the world to campaign and raise awareness about their role in remediating impairments, promoting mobility, function and quality of life. 2016 World physiotherapy Day has the theme: “Movement for Health: Adding Life To Years.”
This follows the World Health Organisation’s World Report on Ageing and Health which says that “Maintenance of functional ability has the highest importance for older people.”
Present at the event were notable speakers from different parts of the country. A keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Rufai Ahmad after a welcome address by the President of NSP Abuja Chapter Mr. Ilechukwu. Dr Rufai, a senior lecturer, Bayero University, Kano State, spoke on “Management of Chronic Pain: Physiotherapy A Safe Alternative to opioids.”
Rufai however cited pain as the commonest reason patients present at hospitals and a thorough examination is imperative to pinpoint the pain source. He also highlighted the side-effects of common opioid medications including respiratory distress, nausea, constipation, drowsiness, dependence, cognitive impairment among others.
The guest lecturer, a Doctor of Physiotherapy, however, recommended alternative modalities including exercise and physical activity as effective treatments for chronic pain. He decried the neglect of these modalities despite being substantiated by research evidence.
Also speaking at the event was the head of physiotherapy, State House Clinic, Abuja, Mrs. Mayomi Olubukola who gave a lecture on the role of physiotherapy in the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. She indicated that 9.5 million working days were lost in the UK in 2015 as a result of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
She also stated that the problem however in Nigeria seems to be lack of such data and the fact that employees are required to do their jobs despite these disorders.
Also, another lecturer, Dr. Douglas Okoronkwo, a UK trained neurosurgeon delivered his lecture. The skull-base specialist enumerated the importance and strategies of enhancing cooperation between physiotherapist and neurosurgeons. He emphasised competence over certification and dwelling less on trivial matters as professionals.
Lamenting the poor physiotherapist-patient ratio in Nigeria was Mr. Adebowale Adedeji, a physiotherapist with the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists’ Board. Adedeji however admonished healthcare professionals present at the event to be properly represented in all tiers of healthcare in the country.
The programme was also marked by an interlude of presentations from pharmaceutical industries.
