A university don, Prof. Rufus Adedoyin, has described tele-physiotherapy as a necessity rather than an option for reaching patients beyond hospital walls.
Prof. Adedoyin stated this at the 5th induction ceremony for newly qualified physiotherapists of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, held at the institution’s Laje Campus.
The Professor of Physiotherapy from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who spoke on the theme “Wind of Change and Innovation in Physiotherapy”, said the profession in the 21st century requires fresh and innovative approaches, given the technology-driven nature of modern healthcare and shifting patient expectations.
He noted that global health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, had demonstrated the indispensable role physiotherapists play in resilience and recovery, both in intensive care units and at community level.
Prof. Adedoyin charged the inductees to build careers defined by impact rather than numbers, stressing that the true measure of success lies in transforming lives.
“It is not in how many letters follow your name, but in how much hope you inspire and the value you add to the lives of others,” he said.
He further reminded them that physiotherapy is not just a profession but “a calling to serve humanity”.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, congratulated the inductees, expressing pride in their 100 per cent pass rate in the first professional examination conducted by the regulatory body.
“This outstanding performance is clear evidence that the inductees have received the training and mentorship required for excellence,” she said.
Prof. Adejuyigbe urged the new physiotherapists not to rush out of the country, insisting that Nigeria needs their services now more than ever.
“Do not allow the ‘Japa’ syndrome to weaken the foundation of your profession at home. Reflect on how you can contribute to national development and provide needed rehabilitation services across our nation,” she advised.
Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation, Prof. Teslim Onigbinde, said UNIMED continues to bridge the gap in the training and development of medical rehabilitation professionals.
According to him, the institution is not only graduating its fifth set of physiotherapy students but will, in a few weeks, graduate the first set of candidates from its transitional Doctor of Physiotherapy (t-DPT) programme, the first of its kind in Nigeria, and possibly Africa.
He added that the university has begun the process of phasing out the Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree to fully adopt the Doctor of Physiotherapy model.
The CEO/Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, Prof. Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, represented by the Deputy Registrar, Mr. Adeniran Akinyele, administered the professional oath and urged the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession.
A total of 59 physiotherapists were inducted, with Oluborode Feranmi emerging as the overall best graduating student.