It is with joy and happiness that I warmly and humbly welcome you all to our annual event, the 4th Scientific Conference of NPOOTS.
I thank God for granting us journey mercies.
I am truly overwhelmed by the presence of eminent scholars and personalities in our midst today, who, despite their busy schedules, made time to be with us.
Specifically, I would like to thank our keynote speaker, Mr. Pakouyowou M. Timothee (International Project Coordinator at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization), and the entire UNIDO team, the Registrar/CEO Medical Rehabilitation Therapist (Registration) Board of Nigeria (MRTB), the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disability and his team, and the management of the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
As the world just celebrated the International Prosthetics and Orthotics Day on November 5th, today’s conference theme:
“Broadening Prosthetic and Orthotic services across Nigeria’s healthcare systems – Towards achieving universal health coverage”
emphasizes the need to broaden both coverage and access to prosthetic and orthotic services across Nigeria, because prosthetic and orthotic practice and education in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is emerging and still evolving.
According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people—or about 16% of the global population—are living with disability, and this underscores the need to achieve universal coverage and access to rehabilitation services and care to assist these individuals who often face poorer health outcomes and limitations in daily functioning compared to those without disabilities.
Today in Nigeria, prosthetic and orthotic services can only be accessed in a few tertiary health institutions, while some individuals who need these services, and some health workers, don’t even know that such services exist.
Such increased access to rehabilitation services will assist individuals with disabilities in rural settings who have limited access to quality rehabilitation services and healthcare due to factors like lack of healthcare facilities, transportation network, resources, and information.
Broadening access to prosthetic and orthotic services will encourage community-based rehabilitation (CBR)—ensuring that people with disabilities are seen as able, maximizing their abilities, improving access to services, enabling participation in the community, and promoting inclusion through changes in the local community.
It will also help to minimize or slow down the disabling effects of disabilities and help such individuals live their lives to the fullest. Individuals will also have access to services within their domain, so there is no travel and waiting lists, and it encourages the use of local, often low-cost resources, making it more affordable.
Nigerian Prosthetic Orthotic and Orthopaedic Technology Society (NPOOTS) is the umbrella professional association for Prosthetists and Orthotists in Nigeria.
Our members are highly trained specialists who assess patients, prescribe, design, fabricate, fit, and provide prosthetic and orthotic devices essential for the rehabilitation of persons with limb loss, musculoskeletal impairments, and related conditions.
We are integral to restoring mobility, independence, and dignity to thousands of Nigerians living with disabilities.
In furtherance of our commitment to assisting people with disabilities:
NPOOTS gave out three free limbs to three amputees at our 3rd annual conference in Abuja last year.
Today, we are giving out ten free limbs to amputees in Rivers State.
On this note, we call on well-meaning individuals, organizations, establishments, and the government to partner with NPOOTS on this annual project to increase our coverage.
As we have converged for the NPOOTS 4th scientific conference in Rivers State, I must thank:
Our keynote speaker, Pakouyowou M. Timothee
Our guest speakers
The Hon. Commissioner of Health, Rivers State
Amb. Dr. Rev. Blessing Nkiruka Jonathan
Our able colleagues and speakers/facilitators
I am confident that with your impressive credentials and quality impact in the medical rehabilitation field, you will do justice to the theme and sub-themes of this year’s event.
The event is well-packaged to be very enriching, with a pre-conference webinar and workshop that will significantly impart the required knowledge to the participants.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to:
The Hon. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Izia Adekunle Salako
The Registrar/CEO of MRTB, Prof. Rufai Yusuf Ahmed
The Commissioner of Health, Rivers State, Dr. (Mrs.) Adaeze Chidinma Oreh
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disability
Prof. P.U. Agbasi
We cannot fail to recognize and appreciate our sponsors and donors.
A big thank you to:
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
The Government of Japan
for hugely supporting this event.
We also thank:
The management of UPTH
Orthfit Orthopaedic Ltd
The Orthopaedic Department of UPTH
OrthoEx Ltd
IfeanHealth Ltd
NPOOTS also appreciates the enthusiasm so far displayed by our registrants across different categories.
As I encourage all participants to actively participate in the discussions, deliberations, and decisions that will be made at the end of this gathering of intellectuals, it is my hope that you will enjoy every moment of your stay in Rivers State.
I welcome you all and wish you a happy deliberation.
Dr. Tochukwu Nze Ugorji
National President, NPOOTS
NPOOTS Donates Over ₦10m Prosthetic Limbs to 10 Amputees in Rivers State
The Nigerian
The 2026 Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting
Founded on 17th August 2011, NPOOTS is the national professional body for Prosthetists, Orthotists, and Orthopaedic Technologists in Nigeria. We champion excellence, local innovation,
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