The Federal Government and the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB) have commenced a nationwide surveillance programme in hospitals across the country.
The surveillance is aimed at curbing quackery and professional misconduct in medical rehabilitation practice.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa highlighted the pivotal role the initiative will play in ensuring improved healthcare service delivery.
Alausa said this during the unveiling of the surveillance programme and opening of the board’s guest house on Friday in Abuja.
Alausa said that members of the MRTB would be working with some volunteers, and the Nigeria Police Force to monitor activities of rehabilitation facilities nationwide.
“They will ensure that the facilities meet the basic standard and also ensure that the people working in the facilities have the qualifications to work.
“They are like whistleblowers, if they find that personnel in a facility are not qualified, they will alert the board and the people will be arrested and the facility will be shut down.
“As we do this, we will expand the number of surveillance officers, carefully chosen and implored to function with the high level of integrity, discipline and sole commitment,” he said.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, of MRTB, Prof. Rufai Yusuf-Ahmad said the surveillance was to monitor and inspect hospitals, clinics, and training schools to ensure compliance with their guidelines and policies.
Yusuf-Ahmad said that the board had a limited number of staff nationwide and, hence, sought the support of over 250 professional volunteers to monitor medical rehabilitation practice across the country.
He added that the volunteers were expected to assist in surveillance and report professional misconduct to the board for further action, as mandated by the Act establishing the board.
”We would like to assure the public of their capabilities and readiness to carry out the task of supporting the board in safeguarding the Nigerian citizens.
“By curtailing the menace of quackery and other unprofessional conducts in the practice of medical rehabilitation practice in Nigeria, we would like to solicit the support of the public in this regard,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas said that the surveillance programme aligns with the government’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The government is very committed to ensuring that quality rehabilitation is available everywhere.
“Early detection is very significant to avert a lot of disabilities in Nigeria,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWDs), Mr James Lalu appealed to the government to reabsorb the MRTB back into the federal budget for allocation.
“Provision of rehabilitation services for PWDs is engraved in the treaty that Nigeria committed itself, and therefore, we cannot run away from the needs and necessities of the rehabilitation services.
”I feel sad that this institution has been removed from budgetary allocation.
“On behalf of over 35.5 million PWDs, we beg the minister to carry this cry on our behalf to make sure that this institution is reabsorbed back into the budget to provide all the services for PWDs.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mohammed Abba-Isa stressed the need for commitment to advancing the rights and equal opportunities for all Nigerians.
Abba-Isa, represented by Lanre Oluyode, said that there was a need to continue to strive for equal access to quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Other highlights included the unveiling of the MRTB guest house; handover of the surveillance manual, MRTB ACT and Regulation, Surveillance Vest, and Identify Card to the Surveillance Volunteers.
By Justina Auta
