Nigeria has Only 10 Occupational Therapists

Nigeria has less than 10 occupational therapists, the Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Abdulrahman Lawal, has said.

He said the shortage of occupational therapists is a worldwide phenomenon, pointing out that Nigeria is worse because of brain drain.

Lawal spoke at the World Occupational Therapy Day (WOTD) and the 2011/ 2012 Matriculation of the Federal School of Occupational Therapy (FSOT), Lagos.

Lawal said the institution is the only one in West Africa that has been supplying graduates to hospitals, prisons, among other places.

Lawal, a product of the school, noted that some of the students were already doing well in the institutions abroad.

"The prospect and potential of occupational therapy is limitless. That is why we want secondary school pupils to take a career in it," he said.

He said the 28 matriculated students were admitted after thorough screening, adding that standards must not be compromised. The idea is for us to have students that we can be proud of, he said.

Lawal said awareness is poor on the prospect and potential of the profession.

He said when the students finish, they would proceed to the university to further their studies.

A member of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapy Board of Nigeria (MRTB), Mr Joe Nwegwu, said the Federal Government should do something about lack of occupational therapists in the country.


(Source:  thenationalonlineng.net)