By Monday Danladi
People with disabilities (PWDs), particularly those in rural communities, will now have easier access to rehabilitation and other essential healthcare services at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria following the launch of Integrated Rehabilitation Services in PHCs.
The initiative, launched on Tuesday at the Doya Primary Healthcare Centre in Bauchi Local Government Area, is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Foundation for Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Medical Rehabilitation (FEPDMR).
Under the programme, PHCs will provide rehabilitation services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology, prosthetics and orthotics, bringing specialised care closer to people with disabilities.
Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, Hon. Baba Abubakar described the initiative as a major step toward building an inclusive, equitable and resilient health system.
He said the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which seeks to strengthen primary healthcare, improve infrastructure, expand the health workforce and ensure quality healthcare reaches vulnerable populations.
According to the minister, integrating rehabilitation into primary healthcare is a strategic investment in human capital development and universal health coverage. He noted that the initiative is also in line with the World Health Organization Rehabilitation 2030 agenda, which encourages countries to make rehabilitation services available at every level of healthcare.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative in Nigeria and established a National Rehabilitation Technical Working Group to develop policies, standards and implementation frameworks for sustainable rehabilitation services nationwide.
The minister commended the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, the WHO, FEPDMR and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, describing the rehabilitation equipment donated to the Doya PHC as a model for similar facilities across the country.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Sani Mohammed Dambam, said Bauchi was selected as the pilot state after meeting the required conditions and pledged the state government’s support to expand the programme to more health facilities.
Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Rilwanu Mohammed, assured that the facilities and equipment would be effectively utilised to improve healthcare access for people with disabilities.
National Chairman of the Foundation for Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Medical Rehabilitation, James Lado, welcomed the initiative, saying it would reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing healthcare and bring much-needed rehabilitation services closer to communities.
