Tele-physiotherapy, a necessity to reach patients beyond hospital walls – Don
… As UNIMED inducts 59 physiotherapists….
A University don, Professor Rufus Adedoyin, has submitted that “Tele-Physiotheraphy has become a necessity, not an option to reach patients beyond hospital walls”. He made this claim at the 5th Induction Ceremony into the Physiotherapy Profession of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, held on Monday, 24th November, 2025 at the institution’s Laje Campus.
The erudite Professor of Physiotherapy from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who spoke on the theme of the induction lecture, “Wind of Change and innovation in Physiotherapy” said physiotherapy in the 21st century requires innovative approaches as this age is technology-driven because of global health challenges and shifting patient expectations.
He went further to say that global health crises such as the COVID 19 pandemic, etc. have revealed how essential physiotherapists are to resilience and recovery both in ICUs and in communities.
He encouraged the inductees to build a career of impact not by the number of patients they treat, but by the numbers of lives transformed, ” It’s not in how many letters follow your name, but in how much hope you inspire and how much value you add to the lives of others”, he said.
Adedoyin reminded the newly inducted physiotherapists that “physiotherapy is not just a career, it is a calling to serve humanity”.
Speaking at the event, Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, the Vice Chancellor of UNIMED, congratulated the inductees and said the institution was proud of them for achieving 100% pass rate in the first professional examination conducted by the Regulatory body. “This outstanding performance is clear evidence that these inductees had received the required training and mentorship that prepared them for excellence”, she said.
Professor Adejuyigbe encouraged the new physiotherapists not to be in a hurry to leave the shores of the country as Nigeria needs their services now more than ever, “Do not allow the ‘Japa’ syndrome to weaken the foundation of your profession at home. I urge you to reflect on how you can contribute to national development and provide much needed rehabilitation services to clients and communities across out nation”, she advised.
The Dean, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation, Professor Teslim Onigbinde, said that UNIMED is bridging the gap for the training and development of all medical rehabilitation professions and this cannot be overemphasized. According to him, “not only are we graduating our fifth set of physiotherapy students today, but in few weeks, we will be graduating the first set of transitional-Doctor of Physiotherapy (t-DPT) programme, first of its kind in Nigeria, if not Africa” . He added that the institution has commenced the process of phasing out Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme and switch fully to Doctor of Physiotherapy.
The CEO/Registrar, Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria, Prof. Rufai Yusuf Ahmad represented by the Deputy Registrar of the Board, Mr Adeniran Akinyele administered the oath to the new inductees urging them to abide by the ethics of the profession.
59 physiotherapists were inducted with Oluborode Feranmi emerging as the overall best graduating student.
E-signed
Isaac Oluyi
PRO, UNIMED, Ondo.
25th November, 2025