By Hassan Hussain
The Federal Government has unveiled Nigeria’s first-ever National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Strategic Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to strengthen rehabilitation services and integrate them into the country’s healthcare system.
Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria, MRTB, Professor Rufai Ahmad, disclosed this in Abuja during a press briefing on the sidelines of a three-day Stakeholders’ Zero Draft Review Meeting of the plan.
Professor Ahmad described the initiative as a major milestone that aligns with the World Health Organization’s Rehabilitation 2030 Agenda and the 2023 World Health Assembly resolution calling on 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.”
— Professor Rufai Ahmad, Registrar, MRTB
He explained that the strategic plan was developed following a nationwide assessment of Nigeria’s rehabilitation sector conducted between 2025 and 2026 using the WHO Rehabilitation Maturity Model.
According to him, the assessment identified gaps in leadership, workforce planning, financing, health information systems, service delivery and assistive technology, which the five-year strategic plan is designed to address.
Professor Ahmad said the draft plan recommends the establishment of dedicated rehabilitation departments in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as well as state ministries of health to coordinate rehabilitation programmes nationwide.
He added that a National Rehabilitation Policy had also been developed to provide long-term direction, while the strategic plan would guide phased implementation and regular evaluation.
Professor Ahmad stressed that rehabilitation is critical to national development, noting that it enables people recovering from illnesses, injuries and disabilities to regain independence and return to productive lives.
“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 stated.
The MRTB Registrar said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had already approved key recommendations arising from stakeholder engagements since 2023.
He listed some achievements to include the integration of rehabilitation into primary healthcare beginning with Bauchi State, ongoing plans for nationwide expansion, increased training of rehabilitation professionals in universities and efforts to revive rehabilitation centres across the six geopolitical zones.
On health insurance coverage, Professor Ahmad disclosed that the National Health Insurance Authority is reviewing its benefit package to include occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, audiology, prosthetics and orthotics in addition to physiotherapy.
He noted that the move would reduce the financial burden on patients who currently pay largely out-of-pocket for rehabilitation services.
Professor Ahmad also said the strategic plan promotes local production of assistive devices while recommending import waivers for equipment that cannot yet be manufactured in Nigeria to improve affordability and access.
He called on governments at all levels, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and the media to support the implementation of the policy.
“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.
Also speaking, Director and Head of GASHE at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Umeh Sunday, said implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Medical Rehabilitation Services would be driven jointly by the Federal and State Ministries of Health.
Mr. Sunday explained that directors from state ministries of health were participating in the review meeting to facilitate implementation at the state level.
He acknowledged the shortage of rehabilitation professionals due to the migration of skilled health workers but expressed confidence that the strategic plan provides measures to strengthen the workforce through capacity building, improved planning and long-term manpower development.
The three-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Health Insurance Authority, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, development partners, professional bodies and organisations of persons with disabilities to review the draft strategic plan ahead of its submission to the Federal Government for approval.
