… As NAWOJ, NIPR Partners With Physiotherapists
…Chairman Calls For More Community-Based Advocacy
Chairman, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Delta State Chapter, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo has attributed the rise in cases of arthritis in the society to the Inaccessibility of physiotherapy services.
Unobunjo gave the assertion, while speaking at a public lecture organized by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Federal Medical Center Asaba Chapter in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health in commemoration of 2023 World Physiotherapy Day, with the theme, Arthritis And Physiotherapy Management, in Asaba, the state capital.
She said the inability of persons living with the disease to get medical attention was as a result of the shortage of Physiotherapists, which has also led to the increase in the health issue, adding that ignorance of the causes of the disease was another reason for the rise in arthritis.
She however promised to partner with the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy in promoting healthy living and create awareness at the grassroots on how to utilize physiotherapy.
The Chairman, while highlighting some of the advocacy activities of the Association, said they would also spread the message to those who were ignorant of the disease and guide them on how to access the physiotherapist who would attend to their health issues.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme who was represented by Dr Anyiebo said Physiotherapy remains a key aspect in the total health of patients however, it lacks awareness which was why the World Physiotherapy Day is marked every year inform people that physiotherapy was key to the overall health of a patient.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment Dr Minnie Oseji said the World Health Organization is recently encouraging self-care to reduce unnecessary increases in the number of sudden deaths.
She advised members of the NSP on the need for community-based mobilisation to sensitize the people about arthritis and other bone-related conditions as well as the right ways to address them.
The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Delta State Chapter, Comrade Florence Nwanbuonwu commended the organizers for a job well done and said that the professional body would also collaborate with them to take the physiotherapy campaign to Deltans at the community level.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy Federal Medical Center Asaba Chapter, Dr. Ephraim commended the immediate past governor of the state, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa for providing a glowing edifice that accommodates a good number of the State’s workforce adding that they have specifically chosen the State Secretariat to commemorate this year’s World Physiotherapy Day because they believed that every household was well represented at the building.
According to him, the World Physiotherapy Day is an annual event which is globally observed on 8 of September, to enlighten the public about the essence of physiotherapy and how it affects a healthy lifestyle.
In his words, “We have come to talk about arthritis and to share knowledge so that at the end of the day the arthritis condition will be better appreciated and the job that physiotherapists do will be better appreciated and together we can help one another and move things forward,” he said.
Dr Ephraim also thanked all the invitees especially the guest of honour, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme for extending a hand of fellowship to them as well as his collaboration while stressing that the state has always collaborated with them and hoped to work closely with the ministry to push the physiotherapy campaign across every community in the State.
On his part, the guest speaker Dr. Ogbutor Udoji Godsday gave an overview of the role of Physiotherapy in the management of Arthritis which he described as an acute or chronic joint inflammation that can affect people of all ages and physical fitness including children, teenagers, and athletes though some forms of the disease are more common in women and older people.
Dr. Ogbutor said arthritis was not a single condition but has different types which were, Osteoporosis, Gouty, Rheumatoid, Juvenile idiopathic, Psoriatic, and Ankylosing spondylitis Arthritis.
He further explained that arthritis affects people’s conditions in different ways and each has specific symptoms however, the most common joint symptoms include; joint pain, stiffness (particularly early morning), inflammation (swelling), red skin over the affected joint, weakness and loss of muscle mass.
He said specific forms of arthritis have such symptoms as widespread pain, extreme fatigue, scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis), changes in finger or toenails, rashes, fever, and weight loss, as well as those that affect the body system including eyes, heart, lungs, and nerves.
He also debunked the notion that arthritis was caused by dwelling in an extremely cold environment as well as consumption of cold drinks, instead he said cold weather does not cause arthritis but aggravate aches and pains.
According to him, cold temperatures can heighten pain sensitivity, slow blood circulation and cause muscle spasms.
Ogbutor described physiotherapy on the other hand, as what helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future as it takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.
According to him, Physiotherapists are part of a multidisciplinary team that can help manage your arthritis. They will be able to assess your condition and abilities guide you on how to keep fit and help manage your symptoms. They can also work with other health providers to develop a tailored management plan for a healthy lifestyle.
The event featured free health screening and consultations by members of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy as well as group photographs involving all the participants with the guest speaker.
