5th May, 2024

Rise in non-communicable diseases, among other ailments has led to a consistently growing demand for physical therapy services among Nigerians. Janet Ogundepo writes on difficulties patients go through accessing services in government-owned hospitals.

Looking agitated, an opulent-looking man, identified only as Yinka, sat on a bench in the waiting area of the Physiotherapy Clinic at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Yaba, Lagos.

The man in his 40s and from an affluent family, preferred to be addressed by just his first name to avoid being linked to one of the prominent ruling families in the state.

As he waited for his relative who was being attended to by a specialist, Yinka’s eyes betrayed his uncertainty about the outcome of the evaluation.

His relative, whom PUNCH Healthwise identified as John Aliu, was an out-patient at the specialist clinic and had missed his appointment the previous day.

The ongoing fuel scarcity became an obstacle that led to his not meeting up with the initial appointment.

He dreaded the pain and discomfort Aliu would go through for several weeks if he was unable to see a physiotherapist.

Aliu was diagnosed with degenerated disc disease and cerebral spondylosis, a condition that left him in constant pain and reduced mobility.

Loosening up a bit to speak with our correspondent, Yinka painted a painful, graphic image of what Aliu went through while just taking a short walk to the hospital’s main toilet.

Looking disconcerted, he said the walk was short but excruciating and left the young man lying on the bench and writhing in pain for several minutes.

His condition, coupled with a hormonal problem makes him require physiotherapy, hormonal and pain care.

He fears that if the doctors do not accept their explanations for missing the appointment, the days and weeks ahead before getting another appointment would be quite traumatic to every member of the family.

Recounting what led to the missed appointment, Yinka said, “I went to the filling station to look for fuel and that was why we came today. He was told that he won’t be attended to but he tried explaining to them about the situation that prevented him from coming.

“The attendants then explained to us that they were short of doctors and that was the reason they limited the number of patients to be seen at each clinic day. They also explained that the doctor would still go to the ward to see the patients after the clinic and that is why they won’t be able to see him unless he booked another appointment.”

Fortunately, Aliu was granted access to a specialist and he had his physiotherapy session.

Aliu, who was having spasms due to the pain ravaging his body, managed to tell our correspondent that although he had begun to take treatment at a private facility, he was still referred to Igbobi, to see a specialist and was booked for spinal surgery.

“After today’s appointment, the next date might be in the middle of June. So, how would he be able to get adequatetreatment that way? At the other private clinic, he sees the physiotherapist every week but here, it’s almost monthly,” Yinka quickly interjected seeing how difficult it was for his relative n to continue with the conversation.

He said Aliu was already angry for not being given adequate care at Igbobi and would have wanted to be cared for at the private clinic but for the complexity of his condition.

PUNCH Healthwise learnt that before the recent visit, he was on the long list of patients waiting to see a spinal physiotherapist and was unhappy with the situation.

“When I first came here in October, I was given an appointment to see the Spinal physiotherapist on February 6. Fortunately, the doctor who referred me here said because the appointment was long, she would refer me to the pain clinic to help me manage the pain pending when I see the spine physiotherapist.

“When I asked what made the appointment that long, the doctor responded that it was because there were too many people waiting to meet with the few doctors available. But the pain clinic appointment was a week after my first visit and after that, it would take a month interval,” Aliu muttered in pain.

He mentioned that while awaiting his next appointment, he couldn’t effectively perform the exercises he was instructed to do.

Speaking to PUNCH Healthwise after the session, the middle-aged man said, “The last time I came here, of the four exercises I was asked to do, I could only remember one. I was reviewed and then given a new set of exercises.”

https://punchng.com/how-shortage-of-physiotherapists-obsolete-equipment-hamper-tertiary-hospital-services