UI inducts 30 physiotherapists as MRTB threatens erring interns

Even as the College of Medicine Ibadan inductes 30 new physiotherapists into Nigeria’s health care sector, the Registrar, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB), Dr Olufunke Akanle has threatened to deregister any physiotherapist that attempt internship twice.

Dr Akanle, who spoke at the College of Medicine, bachelor of physiotherapy 2017/2018, stated that the board had caught some erring interns who were currently paying dearly for it.

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She stated that the board in solving the problem of placement for internship training in Nigeria was negotiating with the Federal Ministry of health to approve centrally, the placement and funding for physiotherapy and interns of other medical rehabilitation professions.

The MRTB’s Chief Executive Officer assured that the approved Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) curriculum by the National Universities Commissions would expand the knowledge and skill base of graduates to meet the prevailing health challenges and the international standard for best practices.

She urged the college to be the first university to start the DPT curriculum as well as other programmes in medical rehabilitation such as occupational therapy, orthotics and prosthetics in Nigeria,

Akanle counselled the intern physiotherapists to ensure that they had a provision license to practice to check quackery and unprofessionalism, even at the National Youth Service Corps camp.

U.I’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka, speaking through the deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Ademola Ekannola, said they should show themselves worthy ambassador of the University.

Provost, College of Medicine, Professor Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, stated that the college is rated the best in West and Central Africa and so expectations of patients from them are very high.

He said several changes made in the college’s physiotherapy training curriculum had equipped them fully to advance either in the academic or clinical settings.

Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor Mayowa Owolabi said the advent of the internet had made patients more knowledgable about their condition and urged them to keep abreast of new development in physiotherapy.

Acting head of department of Physiotherapy, Dr O. Ayanniyi said the department needs an urgent infusion of the necessary material in cash and equipment to sustain the growth of its physiotherapy training.