NMA condemns violence against girl-child

THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) yesterday condemned totally with dismay some harmful practices and violence against the girl-child in the society, saying that such actions are unacceptable and must be stopped.

It also advocates that special attention, care and necessary machineries should be put in place to urgently curb the menace.

The National Chairman, NMA Committee on Girl-Child Education, Dr. Chidi Esike, who stated these during a chat with journalists in Abakaliki, urged the Federal Government to ensure proper rehabilitation of the girls and women rescued from members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect.

While calling on the federal, state and local governments to ensure that the rescued girls complete their education so as to secure their future, Esike stated that these girls may have suffered psychological trauma in the hands of the insurgents and if they are not properly rehabilitated, it will affect them negatively.

“Apart from the usual screening for diseases and treatment of any illness detected, the rescued girls should undergo sessions of psychotherapy and counselling with qualified medical and other health personnel and counsellors to make sure they do not suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders and other untoward effects that will truncate their education and productive living in future.

“We are of the opinion that not even pregnancy should prevent these girl children from attending their educational goals.

“These and other measures that will help them appreciate that all is not lost in life and look on to the future with hope will psychologically and physically prepare them for productive lives and help them start and continue with their education to any level they desire in life”, he said.