2,000 Physiotherapists leave Nigeria – Nigerian Physiotherapy Association
The Nigerian Physiotherapy Association has lamented the gap between physiotherapists and patients as 2,000 physiotherapists have left Nigeria to practice in other countries.
President of the Nigerian Physiotherapy Association, Oyinlola Odusanya, stated this at the 65th Anniversary and Gala Night of the NSP held in Abuja on Thursday.
Odunsanya blamed the exodus of physiotherapists on poor working conditions for health workers in the country.
He explained that the 2,000 physiotherapists who will migrate represent over 65 percent of the total number of physiotherapists in the country.
Odunsanya noted that Nigeria currently has only 4,000 physiotherapists left to serve its 200 million people. "More than 65 percent of Nigerian-trained physiotherapists practice abroad. Over the past three years, over 2,000 physiotherapists have left the country, leaving less than 4,000 to serve over 200 million people in the country.
"This development has weakened us as a group and in terms of training, reducing the number of experienced physiotherapists to staff our various facilities," he said.
He called on the government to improve the treatment of health workers, especially physiotherapists, and reduce the exodus. He explained that prosperity and good working conditions would sustain the talent in Nigeria's health sector. Speaking at the celebration dinner, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government would provide financial support to the health sector while creating conducive workplaces for health workers.
He thanked the Nigerian Physiotherapy Association for its contributions to the people and the nation, adding that the Federal Government would continue to support its activities.
