A third of Nigeria's population requires rehab services, but access to these programs is severely limited, according to the MRTB.

The Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria has expressed concern over the significant gap in rehabilitation services across the country, with more than one-third of Nigerians requiring rehabilitation care while access to such services remains grossly inadequate.

n

Prof. Rufai Yusuf Ahmed, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Board, unveiled a national reform agenda aimed at integrating rehabilitation into Nigeria’s healthcare system, expanding workforce capacity, reviving rehabilitation centres and digitising regulatory processes, during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

n

According to Prof. Ahmed, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, injuries, conflicts, disasters and an ageing population has significantly increased the demand for rehabilitation services, making it imperative for Nigeria to strengthen its response in line with the World Health Organisation’s Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative.

n

Prof. Ahmed stated that rehabilitation is no longer a luxury but a critical component of healthcare that enables individuals to regain mobility, independence, productivity and social inclusion after illness, injury or disability, with one-third of the world’s population having health conditions that can benefit from rehabilitation.

n

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has approved the integration of rehabilitation services into Primary Healthcare Centres across the country, which is expected to bring rehabilitation closer to communities, particularly underserved rural populations, while reducing the financial burden on patients.

n

The Board is working with relevant agencies to develop both short-term and long-term workforce strategies to address the severe shortage of rehabilitation professionals, with fewer than 8,000 physiotherapists and less than 500 professionals each in occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology, prosthetics and orthotics serving a population of over 200 million.

n

Community health workers will receive rehabilitation training, and a new curriculum on community rehabilitation is being developed for health technology institutions nationwide, to bridge the gap in rehabilitation professionals.

n

The Federal Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of medical rehabilitation programmes in 20 universities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, which is expected to significantly increase the production and equitable distribution of rehabilitation professionals across the country.

n

The Board currently accredits 48 institutions offering physiotherapy, over 60 hospitals for internship training, and more than 110 facilities for safe rehabilitation practice, according to Prof. Ahmed.

n

Rehabilitation services and assistive products are being incorporated into the National Health Insurance framework, with discussions with the National Health Insurance Authority reaching an advanced stage, and work ongoing to establish pricing structures that would reduce out-of-pocket spending by Nigerians requiring rehabilitation services.

n

The goal of incorporating rehabilitation services into the National Health Insurance framework is to make rehabilitation affordable and accessible, with Prof. Ahmed stating that no Nigerian should be denied care simply because they cannot pay.

n

The Board has completed the digitalisation of all its core operations, including registration, licensing, accreditation, inspection, professional examinations, internship management and standards enforcement, as part of efforts to modernise healthcare regulation.

n

An upgraded MRTB website, scheduled for launch in August 2026, will allow members of the public to verify the licensing status of practitioners, check accreditation status of facilities and report professional misconduct online.

n

Despite the ongoing reforms, Prof. Ahmed lamented the absence of dedicated rehabilitation funding in federal and state budgets, describing it as a major obstacle to the sector’s growth, with rehabilitation remaining one of the most underfunded components of healthcare despite its growing importance.

n

Prof. Ahmed argued that rehabilitation services in Nigeria are still in their infancy and require targeted financial support, comparing medical rehabilitation to a baby that needs milk before it can join others to eat rice.

n

The Board has received and investigated more than 20 complaints against rehabilitation practitioners and facilities through its surveillance volunteer programme, with Prof. Ahmed assuring Nigerians that mechanisms are in place to investigate misconduct and enforce professional standards.

n

Prof. Ahmed urged governments, healthcare institutions, development partners and citizens to support ongoing efforts to strengthen rehabilitation services, insisting that improved access would enhance health outcomes, boost productivity and contribute to national economic development.

n

According to Prof. Ahmed, rehabilitation is about restoring lives, dignity and opportunities, and if done correctly, millions of Nigerians will live healthier, more productive and more independent lives.

n

The MRTB’s latest reforms come as Nigeria intensifies efforts to align with global healthcare standards and fulfil its commitment under the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 framework, a strategy aimed at making rehabilitation an integral part of universal health coverage.