Survey of Rehabilitation Services Available for Orthopaedic Patients in Secondary Health Facilities in Sokoto State

Rehabilitation services are integral to the complete recovery of orthopaedic patients, yet access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and prosthetics at secondary health facilities in Nigeria remains grossly inadequate. This descriptive survey maps the availability and functionality of orthopaedic rehabilitation services across public secondary health facilities in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. A structured facility assessment checklist will be administered by trained research assistants in twenty randomly selected secondary health facilities across three senatorial districts. Data will be gathered on the presence of physiotherapy units, staffing levels, equipment availability, patient referral pathways, and service utilisation rates. Stakeholder interviews with facility heads and physiotherapy departments will supplement quantitative data. The study anticipates widespread shortfalls in equipment, trained personnel, and referral coordination. Findings will be submitted to the Sokoto State Ministry of Health and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund as evidence to support infrastructure investment and manpower training in rehabilitation medicine. This study contributes to filling an important data gap in the health systems literature on post-orthopaedic rehabilitation capacity in North West Nigeria. Strengthening these services is essential for reducing long-term disability and optimising functional recovery among orthopaedic patients in the state. Keywords: rehabilitation services, orthopaedic care, physiotherapy, Sokoto State, health facility assessment.