Health

Include persons living with disabilities in policy making – Professor Osisanya

By Web News 446

By Fasilat Lawal

Government at all levels have been urged to include persons living with disabilities, PLWDs, in policy making in the country.

A lecturer at the Department of Special Education University Of Ibadan, Professor Ayo Osisanya, made the call at a seminar organized by the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria held at Western Hall, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

Speaking on the theme, “Embrace Inclusion -Transform Lives”, for the Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Professor Osisanya explained that individuals with special needs needed to be given rehabilitation and education for them to become self dependent in future and not to be a burden to their parents and care givers.

Chairman, Community Chest Council, Oyo State, Dr Olusola Olaganju who said disability should not be seen as a death sentence, urged government to give regard to people with disability for them to contribute to the gross domestic product Of the country.

Also, a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Oluwakemi Ashubu advised parents of children living with down syndrome to always bring them to the hospital for routine health checks as part of efforts to keep them healthy, saying such children should not be labelled as outcasts.

In a goodwill message, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Professor Jessie Otegbayo represented by Head Of Department Of Paediatrics, Dr Adanze Asinqbi appreciated the president and management of the Down Syndrome Foundation, Nigeria for their impact over the years in the service of humanity, in advocacy and inclusion, Professor Otegbayo encouraged parents to enrol their children in the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to help them get proper medication and treatments for several diseases.

A parent of a child living with Down Syndrome, Dr Princess Nwakwo, who noted that such children were gifts from God that should be loved and embraced, enjoined parents not to discriminate and withhold education from them to also have potentials.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the president of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria , Mrs Rose Mordi explained that the aim of the seminar was to create awareness on Down Syndrome and to advocate for total inclusion of children living with the disease and the change of mind-set of people from the misconceptions, ignorance and superstitions regarding disability.

The event had in attendance, children living with Down syndrome, students from the University Of Ibadan, parents and caregivers.

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Health

NGO Organises Charity Walk to Raise Awareness on Down Syndrome

By Web News 449

By Modupe Toba

President of a nongovernmental organization, Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, Mrs Rose Mordi has called for empowerment of people with Down Syndrome and other forms of intellectual disabilities.

Mrs Mordi stated this during a charity walk organised by the NGO in Ibadan, Oyo state.

She said the charity walk became necessary to raise awareness about the challenges of people with Down Syndrome, maintaining that there is ability in disability.

Head of Educational and Social Services, Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, Mr Sunday Ojo advocated government partnership in their various programmes for people with disability

The Executive Assistant to Oyo State Governor on disabilities matters, Mr Timothy Olufemi,who was part of the event, explained that the present administration in the state remained committed to the welfare of people with disabilities.

Radio Nigeria reports that during the charity walk, people with Down Syndrome carried placards with inscriptions such as save a life, embrace inclusion, persons with disabilities are not liabilities.