By Nkechi Onyedika-Ugoeze, Abuja
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), SEDOO Initiative for Children with Special Needs (SECHILD), has called for increased government support for children with celebral palsy and special needs in the country.
SECHILD President, Mrs. Kawan Anjira, who made the call at the opening of its new centre in Abuja, said: “Celebral palsy is a lifetime disorder that defies medical solutions, but requires care and therapy.”
She stressed that there has not been much support from the government for children with special needs.
Anjira said parents of challenged kids were facing difficulties, including getting appropriate care and accommodation; promoting acceptance in the extended family, schools and communities.
She lamented that it is traditionally believed that a child born with abnormal development is from the spirit world or a “snake incarnate” and would bring a curse on the family, adding that many children with cerebral palsy and other deformities in some communities were either buried alive or thrown into the river to return to the spirit world, as purification to the parents of such children.
“The truth is that these beliefs and practices have negative effects on the psychological and social status of these families…” she said.
Anjira urged governments at all levels to collaborate with non-governmental organisations to enlighten families and individuals on the need to accept and cater for children with special needs.
“SECHILD is providing medical and educational support to children with special needs,” she said, adding that the group was involved in the campaign and sensitisation on accepting children with special needs.
Also speaking, Director, of National Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Avery Gavar, said the government, through the establishment of a Person With Disability Commission, had made efforts at ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.
Physiotherapist with SECHILD, Dr. Joseph Mbahan, described “cerebral palsy as a paralysis of the brain that occurs during pregnancy, prolonged labour or when a child as a newborn, fell and damaged a part of the brain membrane.”
