As Nigeria battles with challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) have expressed displeasure over huge foreign exchange wasted annually on medical treatment abroad by Nigerians including key government officials.
Consequently, society has pledged commitment to change the ugly situation in synergy with other health providers. The NSP is the umbrella body of all physiotherapists in Nigeria.
President of the society, Nnenna Nina Chigbo stated this after her recent election. She decried a situation where huge foreign exchange is spent annually on medical tourism, saying such could be used to rehabilitate and equip health institutions in Nigeria.
She spoke at the society’s 60th annual general meeting/scientific conference with the theme “The 2020 pandemic: a critical juncture for reversing health tourism” which witnessed the election of other national executive officers.
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Chigbo said: “Our administration will take decisive steps in making the impact of the physiotherapy profession felt in relevant government ministries/agencies. We will lobby and advocate for recognition of the physiotherapy profession and institutions as major stakeholders in the health sector.”
Other members of the society elected at the AGM include Felix Oyinlola as vice president; Usman Abba Ahmed, secretary; Mfonobong Udoh, assistant secretary; Emelie Moris Anekwu, financial secretary; Muhammad Aminu Shehu, treasurer; Ogbonna Nwajiobi Obi, public relations officer, among others.
