The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapists has condemned in strongest terms, what it described as “a disturbing video” currently circulated on social media platforms and published by some traditional media in Nigeria depicting a barbaric treatment of an innocent child with disability by an alleged member of the society.
In a statement issued in Abuja and jointly signed by the National President, Dr. Rufai Yusuf Ahmad and National Secretary Dr. Felix Odusanya, the society expressed shocked and outrage and categorically denounced what is seen in that video.
It described the content as “callous and unprofessional and does not in any way relate to Physiotherapy practice, its skills and all its known techniques”.
To unravel the matter, the NSP has set up appropriate machinery to reach out to the victim and her parents to ascertain the current health state of the victim.
The Societies’ ethics Committee has also been directed to urgently and thoroughly investigate what happened while liaising with the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board (MRTB) on the matter.
Once the findings following laid down procedures indict the practitioner, the Society said she would be made to face the disciplinary Committee of NSP and be punished according to the prescribed sanctions as provided in NSP constitution.
The National President and Secretary assured the general public that what is seen in that video is in no way related to Physiotherapy procedures and practice anywhere in the world.
“The NSP sympathise with the family of the victim for this traumatic experience and offers to have a qualified Physiotherapist help the family with appropriate treatment of the child,” the statement stated.
Physiotherapy professional practice has been in Nigeria for over 70 years and the Society was formed 58 years ago and has over the years practiced under strict ethical and professional standards.
In view of the recent ugly incident, the NSP executive advised the public to be mindful of quacks and to continue to exhibit highest standards of ethics and professionalism in dealing with their clients.
Furthermore, the statement assured Nigerians that at all times the NSP would protect the nation from quacks and ethical misconducts, and would not hesitate to punish any erring practitioner or quack found culpable in practice.
“NSP will also protect the nation from quacks and ensure the provision of Physiotherapy services according to the Constitution of the Society and laws of the Nigeria,” the statement added.