The Federal Government has commenced the nationwide rollout of integrated rehabilitation services across Primary Health Care centres.
The reform is aimed at bringing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology and other rehabilitation services closer to millions of Nigerians.
The initiative, launched on at the Doya Primary Health Care Centre in Bauchi State, is expected to expand access to rehabilitation for persons living with disabilities, older persons, survivors of trauma, people with non-communicable diseases and others requiring long-term functional support according to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Health and Medical Rehabilitation and Therapists Board on Wednesday.
Speaking at the national launch, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the programme as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and achieve Universal Health Coverage under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Pate, represented by his Special Adviser, Dr. Baba Suleiman, said integrating rehabilitation into PHCs would ensure that essential services previously concentrated in secondary and tertiary hospitals become available in communities across the country.
