The Director of the Physiotherapy Department at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, Muibat Akintayo, highlighted specific health conditions contributing to brain damage in newborns as significant factors leading to deformities in children.
Speaking during the annual UCH physiotherapy departmental gathering for physically challenged children, Akintayo emphasized that meningitis, jaundice, and improper handling during childbirth were common culprits behind various deformities.
“Meningitis, jaundice and careless handling of babies during delivery are some of the common factors that have contributed to several deformities in children,” sha said.
The event, established over 50 years ago, aims to bring holiday cheer to over 400 physically challenged children in the state.
Akintayo called for the implementation of policies by governments at all levels to improve the living standards of individuals with disabilities in Nigeria.
Referencing the Disability Act signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019, she stressed the crucial need for effective implementation, urging involvement in the National Health Insurance Scheme to ease the financial burden on parents.
“We have policies, we have Disability Act that was signed by our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2019. But what we need now is implementation. If we can implement these policies, it will help a lot, especially by involving them in the National Health Insurance Scheme, because their care is very expensive, and some parents cannot afford it.
“It is imperative for the physically challenged to have easy access to public buildings, so the Federal Government should include them in the health insurance scheme. We are appealing again that the government should, please, enforce the implementation of that Act. The Act is very good but implementation is what we want from the government now.”
Addressing the gathering, planning committee chairperson Mrs. Oyinlola Kehinde explained that the event sought to provide a sense of belonging for the children during the festive season and raise public awareness about the importance of caring for them.
The occasion’s chairman, Damola Awosika, pledged to celebrate his birthday annually with the children, donating received gifts to the department for distribution.
