The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to enhance infrastructure and manpower in the healthcare sector.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced this during the 65th Anniversary and Gala Night of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) in Abuja on Thursday.
Alausa, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, stated that the Federal Government is committed to funding the healthcare sector while also creating a conducive workspace for health workers.
He commended the NSP for its instrumental role in providing efficient services through practice, training, research, collaborations, advocacy, and policy development.
He called for public-private partnerships in the healthcare sector to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in building a better healthcare system for the country.
“Your efforts have significantly contributed to the overall improvement in healthcare, enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals.
“I commend your establishment of the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College (PPC), which has produced over 70 specialists in various physiotherapy fields.
“These skilled professionals have augmented the healthcare workforce, complementing government efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
“The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to enhance infrastructure and manpower in the healthcare sector,” he said.
The keynote speaker at the event, Prof. Sylvester Igaww, urged medical practitioners to continue improving their skills, particularly with the advancements brought about by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the sector.
Igaww, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu, spoke on the theme: “Physiotherapy Practice in Nigeria: The Past, Present, and the Way Forward.”
He emphasised that the ‘Japa Syndrome’ is detrimental to the healthcare sector, underscoring the need to address this issue.
Additionally, the President of NSP, Dr Oyinlola Odusanya, highlighted that the society had facilitated the establishment of the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College in Nigeria.
He explained that this body is responsible for training specialists with clinical competence to meet the demands of clients in an ever-changing world.
Odusanya also identified challenges faced by the society, particularly the devastating effects of brain drain on the profession.
“Over 65 per cent of physiotherapists trained in Nigeria practice abroad. In the last three years, over 2,000 physiotherapists have left the country, leaving less than 4,000 physiotherapists to manage a population of over 200 million.
“This development has weakened us as a group in terms of training and has reduced the number of experienced physiotherapists available to serve our various establishments,” he said.
(NAN)
32-year-old man kills self in Ogun
A 32-year-old man named Olúwaṣeun Shorinola has taken his life in the Kémta area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, PUNCH Online reports.
The Ogun State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed this to our correspondent via electronic message on Thursday.
PUNCH Online gathered that the incident occurred at about 10 pm on Wednesday.
The command’s spokesperson informed our correspondent that the deceased’s wife found him hanging from a wall.
Odutola said, “On August 28, 2024, Temitope Oguntade reported at the Kémta Police Division that she received a call from Tajudeen Aremu that her immediate brother was found dead by his wife.
“A team of policemen was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, Shorinola was found dead, with his body hanging against the wall, which shows that the man committed suicide. The body was brought down.
“The family insisted that they wanted to take the body away for burial instead of taking it to the mortuary for autopsy. We are monitoring the situation.”
In April 2024, The PUNCH reported that two individuals in the state died in a similar circumstances.
Opeyemi Lateef died after ingesting an insecticide, while 24-year-old Gift Bello died after jumping into a well.
The duo carried out the act a few hours apart.
COAS Foresees End To Insecurity As Military Kills 1,166 Terrorists
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Thursday, assured Nigerians that the Army was on a victory path in the ongoing war against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping in the country.
This was as the Defence Headquarters said a total of 1,166 terrorists were killed in the operations conducted in August.
Lagbaja, speaking in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at the closing session of the Chief of Army combined 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference 2024 on Thursday, said though the challenges of insecurity in the country were daunting, the military would achieve a clean victory soonest.
“I must say that the feedback from the various commanders is encouraging. They show that the prevailing security challenges facing our dear nation, though daunting, are surmountable and that we are indeed on the right path to victory.
“I assure Nigerians of the Nigerian Army’s resolve to continue to collaborate with its sister services and other security agencies to ensure security of lives and property across the country. I encourage law-abiding Nigerians to continue to support the government and the security forces in their efforts to make our country safe and prosperous,” the COAS said.
He pointed out that the conference enabled the army to confirm the level of implementation of the policies and decisions agreed upon at the previous conference.
“We also utilised the conference to fine-tune our last quarter activities for the year, particularly as we transit to the popular ember month of the year.
“I believe that the secretariat has adequately captured the decisions arrived at during our deliberation and will decimate them in good time after my approval,” Lagbaja said.
Speaking at the bi-weekly briefing of the DHQ in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said 1,096 suspected terrorists were arrested, and 721 kidnapped civilians were rescued in August.
“The motivation of the terrorist is getting lower and lower in the North-East, which is leading to the mass surrendering recorded. Troops aim to replicate the same in other theatres of operation to bring peace and safety to citizens.
“The military is on high alert, and we have increased our readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression. We urge citizens to understand that this war is not a quick fix but a long and enduring military operation. It is certain that in the end, these terrorists will be destroyed, and our nation will be safe and peaceful again.
“During the month of August 2024, troops neutralised 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements, as well as rescued 721 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, troops recovered 391 weapons and 15,234 ammunition rounds,” Buba said.
In addition, he said, “Troops denied oil theft of an estimated sum over N5,045,160,010.00. 5,047,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS, amongst other items, were recovered.”
