Group Wants Free Healthcare Services For Special Needs Children

A group, Give Back the Smile Support Group, has called on the federal government and Ebonyi State government to provide educational and healthcare facilities for people with special needs and also make healthcare services for them free.

In a communique signed by the convener, Mrs. Ogeri Rosemary Idika and the secretary, Dr Anthonia Nwachi, after evaluating the unfortunate neglect of special needs children in Ebonyi State, said the living conditions of PLWDs in the state are worsened by society’s pretence that they do not exist.

“The Give Back the Smile Support group (GBS) is a group of parents with special children. The group was formed with the purpose of putting smiles back on the faces of Special Needs children, their families and caregivers.

“As, we all know, parenting a special need child is not an easy task, and as such most of the parents and caregivers are emotionally stressed most times due to the highly demanding needs of their children and wards.

“After the meeting of members of the GBS, it was agreed that we embark on intensive awareness campaign to call the attention of the Government of Ebonyi State to integrate the needs and interest of children with special needs into the state’s development plans.”

She maintained that the conditions of the children are not factored into social amenities in the state thereby completely excluding them from having quality life.

“Ebonyi State, have no public roads that made provisions for movement of special needs, ramps are in very few public buildings. They don’t have any pedestrian bridge that carter for the needs of special needs people.

“In education, there are no special needs school. Even in the mainstream school, no provision for inclusive education. In our different hospitals, they do not have an occupational therapist or speech therapist! These are health care professionals that are very important in the care of these children.

“It is a well-known fact that the cost of caring for children with special needs is so high due to the need of multiple specialists, constant need for assistive devices and medications.”

The group stated that every special needs child has a right to life, a right to education, a right to quality life and a right to happiness.