By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implementing policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity in healthcare service delivery for all Nigerians regardless of their abilities.
Hon. Abba Isa, who stated this Thursday at the Launching of the Surveillance Program and Opening Ceremony of MRTB Guest House organized by the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria noted that the occasion signified a significant milestone in the nation’s collective journey towards improving healthcare services and ensuring a more inclusive society for all Nigerians.
The Senior presidential aide, who was represented by his Director Media and Communications, Lanre Oloyede, congratulated and commended the vision, dedication, and hard work of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria for the significant accomplishment.
The SSAP further reiterated that the administration of President Tinubu remains committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with special needs and ensuring that they receive the care, support, and opportunities they deserve.
While delivering his goodwill message, the presidential aide said: “President Tinubu’s administration is dedicated and committed to implementing policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity and Equal Opportunities for all Nigerians in all ramifications which was why he created the office of the SSA on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities and appointed me to liaise with MDAs, sub-national authorities, OPDs, Development Partners, Donor Agencies and other relevant stakeholders to create avenues of opportunities for the inclusion of disability requirements and perspectives in the formulation of their policies plans and programs.
“As part of my efforts in fulfilling this mandate to create avenues of opportunities for PWDs, my office is championing a novel initiative called the Beyond Disability Project which shall be launched by Mr President on July 22 at the State House Banquet Hall, Aso Villa.
“This Project aims to empower over 5000 talented Persons With Disabilities through talent and skill development,including 36, 551 job opportunities for PWDs in Nigeria.
“The project will provide training, mentorship, and resources for persons with disabilities to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy.
“As of today, the Project has attracted over twenty partners including the ECOWAS Commission whose member states have adopted the project.
“I invite you all to join us at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, on July 22nd, as we launch the Beyond Disability Project, the Nigeria Persons with Disability Database (NPWDD) and the Disability Trust Fund.”
The Special Guest of Honour, Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, in his keynote address highlighted the pivotal role the initiative will play in ensuring improved healthcare service delivery.
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.
In his welcome address, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, MRTB, Prof. Rufai Yusuf-Ahmad, submitted that the objective of the surveillance program was to monitor and inspect hospitals, clinics, training schools to ensure compliance with their guidelines and policies.
Yusuf-Ahmad, who expressed concerns about the limited number of staff nationwide, 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.
In his opening remark, Mr James Lalu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWDs), 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.”
On her part, Dr Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, said that the surveillance programme aligns with government commitment on 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.
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