The Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB) has introduced new standards for rehabilitation practice nationwide, inaugurating digital regulatory portals and implementing major policy reforms approved by the federal government.

Rufia Ahmad, registrar of the board, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a news conference on the establishment and regulation of medical rehabilitation services in Nigeria.

Mr Ahmad said members of the public could now verify the licensing status of rehabilitation therapists and the accreditation status of facilities through newly introduced online regulatory platforms nationwide.

He added that rehabilitation services would be integrated into primary health care and considered under the National Health Insurance framework to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs for patients.

The registrar said the Minister of Education had approved the establishment of medical rehabilitation programmes at 20 universities across Nigeria to expand workforce capacity and improve the distribution of professionals nationwide.

According to him, the reforms are designed to safeguard public health and ensure the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality rehabilitation care services for all Nigerians nationwide.

“For too long, Nigerians have accessed rehabilitation services without knowing if the provider is qualified or the facility is safe.

“These new standards and digital tools put verification in the hands of the public and ensure every patient receives care from licensed professionals in accredited facilities.

“This is how we protect lives and restore dignity through rehabilitation,” he said.

According to him, the board warned that unregulated rehabilitation practice poses significant risks to patient safety and undermines the credibility, effectiveness and integrity of the nation’s health system.

He said all rehabilitation practitioners and facilities were now required to comply immediately with professional licensing, registration, accreditation and inspection requirements established by the board nationwide.

“To improve transparency, the MRTB has digitalised all core activities in line with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The new digital portals cover standards of practice, registration, licensing, accreditation, inspection, indexing, professional examination and internship.

“The public can access the platforms to check therapist licence status, confirm facility accreditation, and report misconduct by professionals,” he said.

According to him, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has approved the integration of rehabilitation services into primary health care delivery systems nationwide.

He said rehabilitation services and assistive devices would also be considered under health insurance coverage to reduce financial barriers and improve access for patients nationwide.

“This shift will take rehabilitation services closer to communities and strengthen progress toward universal health coverage,” he said.

Mr Ahmad said the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare had approved a public-private partnership between rehabilitation professionals and health facilities lacking rehabilitation services nationwide.

According to him, the partnership is expected to expand access to rehabilitation services while creating employment opportunities for qualified professionals currently facing limited job prospects.

He further disclosed that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction had approved the process for reviving rehabilitation centres across the country.

According to him, the centres will operate transition clinics to support patients as they move from acute hospital treatment to community-based rehabilitation and long-term recovery programmes nationwide.

He said a rehabilitation technical working group, inaugurated by the Minister of Health and supported by the MRTB, had completed a systematic assessment of the rehabilitation situation.

Mr Ahmad said the assessment provided a clear understanding of existing gaps in rehabilitation service delivery, workforce capacity, infrastructure and access to essential rehabilitation interventions.

“Based on the findings, a National Rehabilitation Policy, Strategic Plan, and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework are being developed.

“These documents will guide reforms and ensure rehabilitation is prioritised in health planning and budgeting,” he added.

He further said that Nigeria’s reforms aligned with the World Health Organisation Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative, which the World Health Assembly adopted in 2023.

“The Initiative focuses on strengthening leadership, financing, workforce competence, service delivery, data use, and availability of assistive devices,” he added.

According to him, the MRTB emphasised that stakeholder engagement remains central to its regulatory approach and broader strategic plan for strengthening rehabilitation services nationwide.

He said the board continued to collaborate with healthcare providers, professional associations, patients, caregivers and government agencies to improve standards, compliance and service delivery outcomes.

The registrar explained that rehabilitation comprised interventions that helped individuals recover lost abilities and regain independence following disease, injury, disability, trauma or substance addiction challenges.

He said physical rehabilitation restored mobility and functional ability for daily activities such as walking, dressing, bathing and effective use of assistive devices.

According to him, mental rehabilitation focuses on improving cognitive, emotional, behavioural and psychiatric well-being, enabling individuals to achieve a better quality of life and social functioning.

“Social rehabilitation focuses on reintegrating individuals affected by social exclusion, addiction, or incarceration back into society.

“With one third of the world’s population needing rehabilitation and demand rising due to non-communicable diseases, ageing, conflict, and disasters, the MRTB reaffirmed its commitment to building a safer, more accountable rehabilitation system for all Nigerians,” he said.

(NAN)