Physiotherapy is the treatment and or management of disease conditions or physical dysfunction or injury by the use of physical/ chemical modalities and therapeutic exercises intended to restore or facilitate normal or as near normal function or development.
This is a health profession that assesses and provides treatment to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and function throughout life.
This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors.
Such conditions include;
- Peripheral nerve injuries
- Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
- Orthopedic conditions, sports injuries
- Cardio respiratory conditions (asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis)
The department comprises of a team of highly skilled and efficient physiotherapists concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation.
This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. It involves the interaction between the physical therapist (PT), patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where functional potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon using evidence-based knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists.
GOAL
To carry out holistic, goal oriented, evidence-based management and research which is aimed at rehabilitation and improving the quality of life in patients with disability.
The department of Physiotherapy U.N.T.H has on its staff list;
- 1 (One) Deputy Director
- 3 (Three) Assistant Directors(one retired but on contract)
- 7(seven) Chief physiotherapists
- 20 (twenty) senior pts
- 31(thirty-one) Interns
- 4 (four) technical staff
- 16 (Sixteen) Administrative Staff
The department is piloted by the Head of Department/ Deputy Director Physiotherapy Services Dr Nwigwe E.C and is being assisted by the G. K Umerah (Miss) and Rev. Dr. Amaeze (Assistant Directors respectively).
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
The departmental seminar holds every Tuesday of the week, with one or two physiotherapist presenting. Sometimes, resource persons come from within and outside the hospital.
The presentation covers various medical and surgical conditions, case presentation and intervention. Relevant workshops and conferences are attended within and outside the state as scheduled. Every second Tuesday of every month is the general departmental meeting. During this meeting, every member of staff is briefed on the issues arising from the management meeting, and other issues are also discussed.
| Cases | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peripheral Nerve Injury | Clinic Day, Outpatient, Ward round | Seminar Outpatient | Outpatient | Outpatient | Outpatient |
| Medicine Adult Neurology | Inpatient/ Outpatient | Seminar Clinic day Ward Round Inpatient / Outpatient | Inpatient Outpatient | Inpatient Outpatient | Inpatient Outpatient |
| Orthopedics | Inpatient Outpatient | Seminar Outpatient / Inpatient | Clinic Day Ward Round Outpatient / Inpatient | Inpatient Outpatient | Inpatient Outpatient |
| Pediatrics O&G Spinal/ Back Care Unit | Inpatient / Outpatient | Seminar Outpatient / Inpatient | Inpatient Outpatient | Clinic Day Ward Round Clinic Day Inpatient / Outpatient | Inpatient Outpatien |
| I.C.U | Inpatient | Inpatient | Inpatient | Inpatient | Inpatient |
The clinics is being headed by Mr. Paul Salufu (Chief Physiotherapist)
TRAINING
The department is involved in training of physiotherapy interns (from various institutions). Students of Medical Rehabilitation from the University of Nigeria and various other universities come to the department for their postings and clinical exposure. This also applies to Nurses and Dieticians.
VARIOUS SUB-UNITS IN THE DEPARTMENT
ADULT NEUROLOGY/MEDICINE
The unit is the core area for treatment of stroke and other Neurological diseases. It caters for approximately 1,200 out-patients. This are also an outpatient unit that handles mostly upper motor neuron and sometimes lower motor neuron lesions as well as re-education of function after a long period of disability. It also offers weight management and group therapy services. The current Head of Unit is Mr Onugha .C. (Chief Physiotherapist) Medicine handles neurological, medical and respiratory conditions but on Inpatient bases and is headed by Mr. Ezugwu C. (Chief Physiotherapist).
ORTHOPAEDICS
This unit is composed of the orthopedic inpatient and out-patient sub-units. Both units work hand in hand with the orthopedic surgeons. The unit is concerned with the physiotherapy management of problems of the locomotors system and beyond. It offers pre and post operative physiotherapy for orthopedic cases in the ward. It works towards patient’s general rehabilitation and restoration of activities of daily living as much as possible.
Conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Lumbar spondylosis, post-immobilization stiffness and varying musculoskeletal conditions are seen.
Approximately 2,500 patients are seen yearly in the out-patients yearly. The current head of Unit is Mr. Okoro C. (Chief physiotherapist)
PAEDIATRICS/OBS & GYNAECOLOGY
In this unit, children with disturbances of function, postural control and movement following injury to the brain are managed. This unit aims at improving the quality of life. Children with Erb’s palsy, Injection palsy, Cerebral palsy, Muscuskeletal conditions and other conditions are seen. The unit caters for approximately 2,700 patients yearly. . This unit also takes care of women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and after childbirth. The current head of the outpatient unit is Obiekwe .C. (Mrs.) (Chief Physiotherapist) and that of Inpatient is Ohaike .S. (Mrs.) (Chief Physiotherapist)
CARDIOPULMONARY/ICU UNIT
Acute problems like asthma, acute chest infections and trauma are managed by this unit. This unit is also involved in the preparation and recovery of patients from major surgery; they also manage a wide range of chronic cardiac and respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and post-myocardial infarction (MI). They work with all ages from premature babies to older adults at the end of their life
This Unit is currently headed by G.K Umerah (Miss), Assistant Director Physiotherapy Services.
OTHER SERVICES
NHIS– This is otherwise called the National Health Insurance Scheme. If patient is in the scheme and requires physiotherapy services. The patient has to obtain a referral from the NHIS office situated in the hospital. This referral contains the NHIS number with the HMO. This number is noted and a photocopy of the NHIS card is attached to the new folder.
Referral System– Referral is both on first and second contact basis. Either through GOPD, MOP, SOP, CHOP or patient that had been discharged from the wards. Referrals at other times come from other hospitals and other health institutions. We also consider proximity to physiotherapy services when we refer our patients.