The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) recently concluded her international Congress which held at Palexpo, Geneva between 7th – 13th, May, 2019.
It is a huge global event to celebrate landmark achievements in clinical practice and research endeavours in different specialty areas of Physiotherapy from different countries of the world. Nigeria was represented by members of Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) who were not left out of the showpiece.
The WCPT, through her special interest groups, gave NSP Vice President, Dr. Nnenna Nina Chigbo, an inaugural award titled “Nnenna Chigbo Educational Leadership Award” and institutionalised it in perpetuity in recognition of her excellent hard work in the area of HIV/AIDS, Hospice, Oncology and Palliative Care Rehabilitation(IPTHOPE).
Also, the Financial Secretary of NSP Anekwu Emelie Moris was confirmed the Liaison Officer representing Nigeria in the WCPT-IPTHOPE.
Fours years ago, Dr. Olufunke Ajiboye, a member of NSP from Nigeria, cliched the best WCPT platform paper presentation at the WCPT Congress that held at Singapore. Nigeria, through NSP, since fifty six years of her membership with WCPT has been making giant strides at the world stage too numerous to mention.
The NSP, founded in August 29th, 1959 is recognized by the Federal government through the Ministry of Health as the only umbrella association for all Nigerian Physiotherapists. Nigeria has been a member organisation of the WCPT through the NSP since 1963.
Founded in 1951, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is the sole international voice for physical therapy, representing more than 350,000 physical therapists worldwide through its 112 Member Organisations. These members are national associations for physical therapists, which must meet strict criteria before being admitted. WCPT admits only one association per country.
The just concluded WCPT Congress 2019 in Switzerland was a huge success and an attestation that Nigeria belong to a large community of sound professionals in the field of Physiotherapy worldwide.
The WCPT General Meeting is held every four years but the Congress now held every two years starting from South African Congress in 2017. The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and her two delegates, Drs. Nenna Chigbo and Oluyinka Afolabi represented Nigeria at the General meeting from 7th to 9th of May, 2019 and were part of the Congress decisions and resolutions over member nations. Their participation brought to the fore issues which are peculiar to the country in the area of delivering quality and affordable healthcare to the Nigerian populace.
The NSP members both in Nigeria and in the diaspora were in the forefront firing from all cylinders during on scientific presentations that showcased specialised clinical practice and research endeavours in the field. Worthy of mention out of the lots are:
• Dr Nnena Chigbo – Quality presentation on “Access to Physiotherapy in Haemophilia care”
• Dr Comfort Adeosun – 5 star presentation on “Facilitators and Barriers to Rehabilitation Care Coordination: A qualitative Study of Providers’ Perspectives”
• Dr Chinenye Pepetual Obi – Best poster presentation from Africa Region on “Knowledge About Risk factors and Practice of Fall Prevention among Physiotherapists in Nigeria: A Multi-Methods Approach”
• Dr Anekwu Emelie Moris – Classy presentation on “Responses of Urea, Creatinine and Uric Acid to Soft Tissues and Passive Mobilisation in Patients with Renal Disease Undergoing Heamodialysis”
• Dr Olaleye – Classic platform presentation titled ‘Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Post-stroke Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review
• Dr Ibidunni Alonge and Felix Odusanya – Highly informative Poster presentation on ‘Health Locus of Control in Patients with Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain: An Outcome of a 12 -week Clinical Study’
• Dr Foluke Asoluka – Great indaba session on “Global Challenges in Older People with Physical Activity Challenges”
• Dr Oluwatoyin Adenike Adeniji – An educative presentation on “Adherence, Functional Recovery and Quality of Life in Stroke Patients”
• UK based Professor Fatoye – Two masterpiece presentations that attracted overflow attendance :
i. Real World Effectiveness of Community Pain Management on Patient Reported Outcomes for People with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Preliminary Findings
ii. Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Telerehabilitation for People with Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain in Nigeria
• Dr Olabisi Akinwande – Great platform presentation on Patterns, Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity Among Nigerian Pregnant Women.
• USA based Dr E.B John – chaired and judged various presentations at Congress.
The year 2019 is WCPT election year. The incumbent WCPT President, Prof. Emma Stokes of Irish Chattered Society of Physiotherapy was returned elected as WCPT President for the next four years. At the rate at which Nigerian Physiotherapists are going, it won’t be long before we have a Nigerian WCPT President.
*Oluyinka Afolabi FNPCN, MNSP
Assistant General Secretary
Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy,
writes from Geneva, Switzerland.
