PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN OGUN EXPOSED TO NEW THERAPY TECHNIQUES

  In an effort to improve medical skills in handling cervical and lumbar pains, the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) in collaboration with the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy has trained physiotherapists in the State public health sector.

The Board Chairman, Dr. Iziaq Salako who made this known at a two-day training of the Society supported by Nwuaga Physiotherapy Foundation in Abeokuta, said it was to familiarise the professionals on a newest way of managing pains known as Nwugarian Techniques of Manipulative Therapy (NTMT).

 Salako explained that the NTMT was named after its inventor, Emeritus Prof. Vincent Nwuga, noting that it was aimed at improving the standard of patient’s treatment, reduce human pains and enable proper functions of the body.

The Chairman discouraged self-medication and constant reliance on pain relief drugs due to its adverse effects and abuse, saying patients should embrace the therapy, which is a less stressful procedure.

“Pain relieving drugs are one of the most abused and widely prescribed. Infact, most non-health professionals, tends to know names of many of these drugs and use them without prescription”, he said.

The lead lecturer, Dr. Michael Egwu, said the NTMT could rectify inadequacies inherent in traditional physiotherapy techniques and reduce suffering of people from different ailments pertaining to pains and surgery.

According to Dr. Egwu, the use of NTMT by physiotherapists would bring professionalism into their practice and improve wellness of humanity and quality of life, saying, “it will render better and more qualitative physiotherapy services to the people, which will make the world pain-free and full of laughter”.

At the technical session of the training, the Director of Psychology Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Dr. Imisioluwa Ibikunle, emphasised the need for adopting psychology for treatment, noting that “emotion management in healthcare services bring positive outcomes”.

In his remarks, the President, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, HMB Unit, Alhaji Suraj Olubamiro said the collaboration between healthcare professionals was key to quantitative service delivery, noting that no specialty is less important. 

“Physiotherapy plays important role in healthcare delivery and it helps people who are affected by injury, illness or disability. However, patients have the opportunity of getting better through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice”, he submitted. 

          Responding on behalf of other participants, Mr. Wasiu Shittu and Mrs. Bolanle Akadiri from State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode and General Hospital, Iperu, respectively, said the training was important in the present-day practice of medical skills and appreciated the organisers for the opportunity to learn.

 

Temitope Adeleye,

Press Officers, HMB.