The Trinity Omonigho Foundation has called on both Federal and state governments to help children living with cerebral palsy.
The foundation also sought to break the stigma widely associated with the condition, calling for institutional support for caregivers around the country.
The call was made during the public unveiling of the foundation, which is a beacon of hope for children battling cerebral palsy and their families.
Speaking at the event in Lagos, Joy Ogbidi, the convener of the Trinity Omonigho Foundation said the body was inaugurated with the aim to provide support, create awareness, and bridge the gap in access to quality care for children with cerebral palsy.
Ogbidi said so far the government has not done much to assist children suffering from cerebral palsy.
“What most of the general hospitals do, especially in Lagos State is to book you for therapy once in three months, which does not heal the child at all, when a child with cerebral palsy needs at least three sessions of a therapy in a week,” Ogbidi said.
She maintained that if a child misses a day’s therapy, that has removed six months of the child’s healing and if she misses two days, one year of the child’s healing process has been removed.
“If the children are not getting the consistency and frequency therapy they need to move to the next stage in their healing process, it is not going to work for them,” Ogbidi said while sharing her journey as a mother of a special needs child, nine-year-old Trinity Etor.
“Having a special needs child, I understand the challenges and the lack of understanding surrounding children with cerebral palsy, both in Nigeria and globally.”
She emphasised the pivotal role of consistent therapy in the healing process, urging government collaboration to provide essential medical assistance.
“We plead with the government to bridge the gap we have in access to quality care for these children.”
During the event, one of the partners supporting the initiative and organisers of Nigeria’s premier street food festival, Sabi Chef, called on the government to initiate protective legislation for cerebral palsy patients and their caregivers.
Sabi Chef also wants a special education and care fund to be established for children suffering from the condition.
Represented by Lawrence Oni, Head of Digital Media for Sabi Chef, expressed happiness about the partnership and the unveiling disclosing that the move “is a significant step for us.”
Meanwhile, Ogbidi indicted the government over its attitude toward Cerebral Palsy, saying that they only pay attention to blind, deaf and handicap disabilities but not children with special needs.
