By Anan Geolengs
The Federal Government has unveiled Nigeria’s first-ever National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Strategic Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to integrate rehabilitation services into the nation’s healthcare system.
Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria, MRTB, Prof. Rufai Ahmad, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing on the sidelines of a three-day Stakeholders’ Zero Draft Review Meeting.
He said the landmark initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s Rehabilitation 2030 Agenda and the 2023 World Health Assembly resolution directing member states to integrate rehabilitation into national health systems.
“The first national strategic plan and monitoring and evaluation framework for rehabilitation in Nigeria has been developed. This is a major milestone because it provides the roadmap for strengthening rehabilitation services and ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind,” he said.
Prof. Ahmad said the plan followed a comprehensive nationwide assessment of the rehabilitation sector conducted between 2025 and 2026 using the WHO Rehabilitation Maturity Model.
The assessment examined six pillars: leadership and governance, health workforce, health financing, health information systems, service delivery and assistive technology.
He noted that the review exposed significant gaps in rehabilitation governance, workforce planning, financing and service coordination, which the five-year strategic plan seeks to address.
Key proposals in the draft include the establishment of dedicated rehabilitation departments within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and state ministries of health to coordinate programmes nationwide.
A National Rehabilitation Policy has also been developed to provide long-term direction, while the strategic plan will drive phased implementation and periodic evaluation.
Prof. Ahmad stressed that rehabilitation enables individuals affected by diseases, injuries or disabilities to regain independence, return to work and contribute to national development.
“If people who have suffered injuries or illnesses cannot return to productive living, the country loses economically. Strengthening rehabilitation services will not only improve quality of life but also enhance national productivity,” he said.
The registrar said the Federal Ministry of Health had approved key recommendations from stakeholder engagements since 2023.
Achievements so far include the integration of rehabilitation into primary healthcare starting from Bauchi State, ongoing plans for nationwide expansion, increased training of rehabilitation professionals in universities, and efforts by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to revive rehabilitation centres across the six geopolitical zones.
On policy continuity, he said broad stakeholder ownership would guarantee implementation. Representatives of federal and state ministries, development partners, professional associations, persons with disabilities and international organisations participated in developing the plan.
“When those who will implement a policy are involved in designing it, ownership becomes stronger,” he said.
Prof. Ahmad also disclosed that the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, is reviewing its benefit package to expand rehabilitation coverage beyond physiotherapy to include occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, audiology, prosthetics and orthotics.
On assistive technology, he said the plan recommends increased local production of devices to lower costs and advocates import waivers for equipment that cannot yet be manufactured locally.
He called on governments at all levels, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society and the media to support implementation.
“The media has a crucial role. Without public awareness, these documents may remain on shelves. We need Nigerians to understand and support this initiative because rehabilitation is an essential component of universal health coverage,” he said.
Participants at the meeting included officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NHIA, NPHCDA, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, WHO, ICRC, CHAI, UNIDO, professional bodies and organisations of persons with disabilities.
They reviewed the zero draft of the five-year plan ahead of its submission to the Federal Government for approval.
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