Japa: FG intensifies efforts to enhance health infrastructure, manpower

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has reiterated that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to enhance infrastructure and manpower in the health sector to address the impact of the mass migration of health workers following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the 65th Anniversary and Gala Night of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) in Abuja, Alausa outlined various initiatives, including boosting manpower in the health sector through enhanced training at existing centers and the establishment of new ones.

Represented by the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, Alausa also emphasized the government’s commitment to improving healthcare work environments to make them more conducive for workers.

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Additionally, efforts to increase healthcare funding through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are underway to complement government initiatives.

Alausa acknowledged that the NSP’s efforts have significantly contributed to overall healthcare improvement, enhancing the quality of life for many individuals.

He commended the establishment of the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College (PPC), which has produced over 70 specialists in various physiotherapy fields.

“These skilled professionals have strengthened the healthcare workforce, complementing government efforts to improve healthcare delivery,” he said.

Keynote Speaker Prof. Sylvester Igaww urged medical practitioners to continue upgrading their skills to keep pace with advancements brought by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Igaww, also Deputy Vice Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu, addressed the theme: “Physiotherapy Practice in Nigeria: The Past, Present, and the Way Forward.”

He highlighted the negative impact of the ‘Japa Syndrome’ on the health sector and emphasized the need to address this issue.

Dr. Oyinlola Odusanya, President of NSP, reported that the society had facilitated the establishment of the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College in Nigeria.

This institution is tasked with training specialists with the clinical competence needed to meet client demands in a rapidly evolving field.

Odusanya also pointed out the challenges faced by the society, particularly the adverse effects of brain drain.

“More than 65 percent of physiotherapists trained in Nigeria work abroad. In the past three years, over 2,000 physiotherapists left the country, leaving fewer than 4,000 to manage Nigeria’s over 200 million population.

This has weakened our profession and reduced the number of experienced practitioners available,” he said.

Former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, Chairman of the Occasion, commended NSP for its ongoing role in promoting the health, well-being, and fitness of Nigerians.

Dambazau emphasized that collective efforts are needed to enhance medical rehabilitation in primary and other healthcare services.

“NSP has demonstrated leadership through its commitment to improving health indices in Nigeria with its rehabilitation initiatives, in line with its vision of providing specialized, contemporary, and exemplary physiotherapy services,” he said.

He added, “The impact of NSP has spread internationally, as evidenced by the increasing number of physiotherapists practicing abroad, which signifies both potential brain gain and a source of foreign exchange remittances contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.

However, the growth of NSP has faced challenges, as is often the case for professional institutions in developing countries where various interests and policies impact operations both positively and negatively.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE