Bauchi State chapter of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria has called on government at all levels to step up support for survivors of spinal cord injuries, highlighting the heavy toll the condition takes on patients and their families.
Chairman of the association, Iliya Isma’il, made the appeal in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Bauchi.
He said survivors were not only confronted with physical challenges but also grappled with enormous financial and emotional burdens.
“Spinal cord injuries are life-altering. Many of our members require specialised care, rehabilitation and assistive devices which are often beyond the reach of average families,” Isma’il said.
He noted that the absence of adequate government intervention had left many patients dependent on relatives and goodwill from the public.
The chairman further explained that marking the awareness day was crucial to drawing attention to the plight of victims, while also educating the public on the prevention and management of such injuries.
He urged policymakers to consider subsidising treatment, providing rehabilitation centres, and creating employment opportunities tailored to the needs of survivors.
Isma’il maintained that with proper support, spinal cord injury patients could lead meaningful and productive lives, rather than being reduced to burdens on society. He also appealed for greater public sensitisation to reduce stigma and promote inclusion.
