Health
MRTBN Closes Over 300 Quack Facilities, Urges FG to Establish Medical Rehabilitation Centers
By Laide Akinboade
In order to address the challenge of quacks, the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTBN), said it has so far closed over 300 quack facilities in Nigeria.
The Registrar of MRTBN, Dr.
Olufunke Akanle, revealed this at the 2nd International Conference of Medical Rehabilitation Professionals (ICMRP), Abuja 2019.she said it is urgent and imperative for the Federal government to establish medical rehabilitation centers in the 6 geopolitical zones, in order to address the challenges of accessibility by patients.
MRTBN comprises of physiotherapists, occupational Therapists, speech Therapists, audiologists, orthotics, prosthetics, chiropractic and osteopathic medicine practitioners.
The theme of the conference was ‘strategic Initiatives for Sustainable Medical Rehabilitation Services in Nigeria and sub-Sahara- Africa ‘.
On quacks she said, “Some quacks are not trained but they are practicing and some practice what he is not licensed to practice. Based on this, we have a lot of establishment claiming they have physiotherapy services and when you go in there you discover they don’t have have physiotherapist at the center.
“We closed some of them especially in the south West and south south, we have close some and prosecute some. And some people that claim they are physiotherapist but are not we have arrested.
Also some individuals that refused to renew their licences, we have also written to their management to tell them that such individuals should not be promoted except they renew their licences.
“Well if we have to work by estimates in the southwest and south south, we have closed like 300 facilities, if you look out you don’t easily see a physiotherapy clinic like a pharmacy and patient store, but in a state you might not have more than 3 physiotherapy clinics and we also have some Non Governmental Organisation, NGOs that claimed they have physiotherapist”.
Lamenting the lack of well established medical rehabilitation center in any of the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria, she said, “It is long overdue for Nigeria to have well established medical rehabilitation center.
This is one of the things as a board we have recommended to the Federal Government. The objective of having a well rehabilitation center you reduce prevalence of disabilities because it comprises of early intervention and the treatment of rehabilitation so if you don’t have a well-established medical rehabilitation it increases prevalence of disabilities, because some conditions that could have been prevented were not prevented as at when due.
“Accessibility of medical rehabilitation centers is very low, because we only have it in very few tertiary health institutions like, teaching hospitals, Federal Medical centers and some general hospitals but we don’t have it in Primary Healthcare Centers, PHCs, so that when a patient with ailment like stroke is discharged in teaching hospital and there is need to continue with his rehabilitation treatment.
Even in our Teaching Hospitals, majorly what we have is physiotherapy services that are available, other medical rehabilitation professional are not available. But if the services are available the patient will just go from one room to the other that is why the Federal government need to establish medical rehabilitation centers in all the 6 geopolitical zones in the country”.
Professor Arinola Sanya, of Physiotherapy Department, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, decried lack of cooperation between all health workers in Nigeria or patients won’t be able to get the best care. We need to access the psychology impact of rehabilitation.
“All health worker are not working effectively as one, we all want to achieve the same goal, to focus on the patient in order to get the best. No body does it all, if a physiotherapist need to call a psychologist to check his patient, does not make him weak but strong. So we should all work together to ensure the patient get the best care”. , she continued.
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate yesterday ordered mandatory health screening for every international passenger arriving Nigeria airports, seaports, land borders as Ebola resurfaces in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a scare case reported in the FCT.
The resolution followed an urgent motion by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who warned that with Lassa fever already ravaging states, Nigeria cannot afford another outbreak.
“Protecting our entry points is far cheaper than managing Ebola,” Fadahunsi told the chamber.
Lawmakers insisted screening must be total and indiscriminate — no exemptions based on nationality or departure country because infected travellers can transit through safe-listed nations.
Senator Diket Plang raised the stakes further, demanding immediate funding for NCDC and Port Health Services, including release of withheld funds and emergency budget.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Federal Government has started releasing Ebola response funds but ordered relevant committees to track every kobo.
“Ascertain whether the funds were released and judiciously utilised. Any outstanding debt must be released by the Finance Ministry without delay,” Akpabio directed.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG), on yesterday confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.
Muhammad Ali Pate, stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.He said the patient, a woman, who was from Uganda, was admitted in Abuja and the diagnosis has been confirmed.
The statement reads, “The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.“The Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread..
“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
“The FG calls on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert. Healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
“What Nigerians Should Know and Do
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with the disease or has died from it, or through contact with contaminated materials. A person with Ebola cannot spread the disease before symptoms begin”.
The Federal Government therefore advised residents to remain calm but vigilant.
“Remain calm but vigilant. There is no need for panic. Practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.
Watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
“Report any possible exposure immediately, even if you feel well. If you develop symptoms, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
” Cooperate with public health teams. Anyone contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, should provide the necessary information and follow public health advice.
“Avoid rumours and stigma. Share only verified information from official health authorities” .
The Minister recalled, “Our Assurance to Nigerians. Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. However, containing Ebola requires everyone to play their part.
“The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information.
” We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.
“The Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates.
NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232″.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Benue State House of Assembly has passed into law a landmark legislation aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) and protecting persons affected by the disease from discrimination and human-rights violations.
The legislation, known as the Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Law of Benue State, 2026, was passed into Law during Thursday plenary presided over by Speaker, Rt.
Hon.Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS, following consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.The committee, chaired by Hon. Matthew Damkor, Ph.D., said the legislation was necessary to provide a comprehensive legal framework for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and control across the state.
The law also seeks to safeguard the rights of persons affected by Tuberculosis (TB), including their rights to dignity, healthcare, privacy, information, employment, education and social protection.
In its report, the committee identified several areas of the original Bill that required amendment, particularly provisions relating to federal laws and institutions, implementation responsibilities, screening and isolation, enforcement mechanisms, offences and penalties.
The committee recommended the removal of provisions purporting to amend federal legislation, particularly the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, noting that such amendments were inappropriate for state legislation.
It also recommended that references to federal institutions as implementing authorities be replaced with relevant Benue State institutions, while allowing for lawful collaboration with federal authorities.
The committee further recommended that the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, through the Ministry of Health and relevant state agencies, be clearly designated to coordinate the implementation of the law.
On the protection of fundamental rights, the House called for clearer safeguards in provisions dealing with TB screening, isolation and restriction of movement, including informed consent, confidentiality, medical necessity, proportionality and the use of the least restrictive measures.
It also recommended the establishment of an accessible mechanism for receiving complaints, addressing discrimination and providing remedies to persons whose rights may have been violated under the law.
The House further urged relevant agencies to ensure that offences and penalties under the legislation are clearly defined, proportionate and enforceable.
After considering and adopting the committee’s recommendations clause-by-clause, the bill was read for the third time and subsequently passed into law by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emberga following a unanimous consideration and adoption by members.
The Tuberculosis Law which was sponsored by Hon. Dr. Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency and others, is expected to strengthen Benue State’s response to tuberculosis and provide a stronger legal framework for protecting persons affected by the disease from stigmatization, discrimination and other rights violations.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations, Lawyers Alert and Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, MHR, have commended the Benue State House of Assembly for taking steps to strengthen the state’s response to tuberculosis, and protect the rights of persons affected by the disease.
In a joint statement, the President of Lawyers Alert, Rommy Mom and the Executive of MHR, Alu Azege said the Bill brings health and human rights dimensions of TB into legislative conversation in the state.
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