Abuja: 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. Prof. Rufia Ahmad, Registrar of the board, disclosed this during a news conference on the establishment and regulation of medical rehabilitation services in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ahmad stated that 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. Ahmad also announced 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 revealed that the Minister of Education had approved the establishment of medical rehabilitation programmes in 20 universities across Nigeria to expand workforce capacity and improve professional distribution nationwide. 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.
Prof. Ahmad emphasized the importance of the new standards and digital tools in protecting lives and restoring dignity through rehabilitation. He warned that unregulated rehabilitation practice poses significant risks to patient safety and undermines the integrity of the nation’s health system. All rehabilitation practitioners and facilities are now required to comply immediately with professional licensing, registration, accreditation, and inspection requirements established by the board nationwide.
He further explained that 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 these platforms to check therapist license status, confirm facility accreditation, and report misconduct by professionals.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has approved the integration of rehabilitation services into Primary Health Care delivery systems across the country. Rehabilitation services and assistive devices will also be considered under health insurance coverage to reduce financial barriers and improve access for patients nationwide. This shift aims to take rehabilitation services closer to communities and strengthen progress toward universal health coverage.
Ahmad disclosed that 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. This partnership is expected to expand access to rehabilitation services while creating employment opportunities for qualified professionals currently facing limited job prospects.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has approved the process for reviving rehabilitation centres across the country. These centres will operate transition clinics to support patients moving from acute hospital treatment to community-based rehabilitation and long-term recovery programmes nationwide. A Rehabilitation Technical Working Group, inaugurated by the Minister of Health and supported by MRTB, has completed a Systematic Rehabilitation Situation Assessment, providing 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 to guide reforms and ensure rehabilitation is prioritised in health planning and budgeting. Nigeria’s reforms align with the World Health Organization Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative, focusing on strengthening leadership, financing, workforce competence, service delivery, data use, and availability of assistive devices.
MRTB emphasized that stakeholder engagement remains central to its regulatory approach and broader strategic plan for strengthening rehabilitation services nationwide. The board continues to collaborate with healthcare providers, professional associations, patients, caregivers, and government agencies to improve standards, compliance, and service delivery outcomes.
Rehabilitation comprises interventions that help individuals recover lost abilities and regain independence following disease, injury, disability, trauma, or substance addiction challenges. Physical rehabilitation restores mobility and functional ability for daily activities, while mental rehabilitation focuses on improving cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric wellbeing. Social rehabilitation aims at reintegrating individuals affected by social exclusion, addiction, or incarceration back into society. With a significant portion of the world’s population needing rehabilitation, MRTB reaffirmed its commitment to building a safer, more accountable rehabilitation system for all Nigerians.