UNIMED inducts 59 new physiotherapists

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

No fewer than 59 graduates of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, have been inducted into the physiotherapy profession by the Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria.

The Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria, Prof Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, who administered the oath to the new physiotherapists, urged them to abide by the ethics of the profession. Represented by the Deputy Registrar of the board, Mr Adeniran Akinyele, Prof Ahmad encouraged the inductees to be diligent and disciplined in the discharge of their professional duties.

In his lecture at the induction ceremony, Prof Rufus Adedoyin stated, “Tele-physiotherapy has become a necessity, not an option to reach patients beyond hospital walls.” Adedoyin, a Professor of Physiotherapy at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, delivered a lecture entitled “Wind of Change and Innovation in Physiotherapy,” noting that physiotherapy in the 21st century requires innovative approaches for this technology-driven era, especially in response to global health challenges and evolving patient expectations.

He highlighted that global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have shown how essential physiotherapists are to community resilience and recovery. He urged the inductees to build careers of impact not by the number of patients treated, but by the number of lives transformed. “It’s not in how many letters follow your name, but in how much hope you inspire and how much value you add to the lives of others,” he said.

Adedoyin reminded the new physiotherapists that “physiotherapy is not just a career, but a calling to serve humanity.”

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, encouraged the new physiotherapists not to be in a hurry to leave Nigeria, stressing that the country needs their services now more than ever.

“Do not allow the ‘Japa’ syndrome to weaken the foundation of your profession at home. I urge you to reflect on how you can contribute to national development and provide much needed rehabilitation services to clients and communities across our nation,” she advised.