A consultant paediatric-neurologist at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, Dr Oluwadola Oke, has called for the inclusion of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into National Healthcare Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Oke made the appeal during an interview with LEADERSHIP in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The expert said that the inclusion of ADHD in NHIS scheme is necessary because the cost of managing the condition is astronomical.
He described ADHD as one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by inattention among children.
“These inattention includes having short attention span, difficulty keeping on task or staying organised, hyperactivity, restless, or talking excessively.”
Oke disclosed that Nigeria carries the burden of ADHD in children at about 4.6 to 8.7 per cent, and Africa is at 5.4 to 8.7 per cent, while globally, it is at 5 to 10 per cent.
He noted that a sachet of 10 tablets of medicine for ADHD treatment costs N50,000 and is almost inaccessible for the ordinary Nigerians.
He added that apart from the high cost of management, the drug is also scarce and can only be found in places such as Lagos or outside the country.
He stated that the government could subsidize these drugs for the citizens through the NHIS.
Oke- pointed out that many people still misunderstand ADHD and assume the affected children are mentally unstable, stubborn or difficult.
“ADHD behaviours frequently occur across multiple situations such as school, home and at work,” he said.
He asked people to desist from labelling children with ADHD as stubborn, spoilt, difficult or abnormal
