NGO Laments Poor Disability Healthcare In Nigeria

Thousands of families in Nigeria continue to face immense challenges in accessing proper healthcare and support for children with disabilities, a non-governmental organisation, OAK Centre Prime, has lamented.

Caring for children with disabilities in the country remains an overwhelming challenge. Families face stigma, inadequate healthcare, financial burdens, and a lack of government support. Although Nigeria signed the Disability Act in 2007 and ratified it in 2010, implementation has been slow, leaving parents to shoulder the responsibility alone. Many struggle to afford essential medical services, with some forced to seek care abroad at an unbearable cost. Others simply cannot afford treatment, leaving children without the support they need to thrive.

OAK Centre Prime aims to bridge this gap by offering a lifeline to families who have been left behind. The centre will focus on medical care, rehabilitation, and advocacy, ensuring that children with disabilities receive the quality support they deserve.

The chief responsibility officer of OAKonsult Disabilities, Mrs Olufunke Adeloye, in an interview with LEADERSHIP, said the establishment of the centre comes from a deeply personal experience, even as she hopes that initiative will not only transform individual lives but also set a precedent for disability care across Nigeria.

“In April 2010, my daughter, Oluwatoyitan Adeloye, suffered severe brain damage due to medical negligence in Nigeria. Desperate for better care, we relocated to the United Kingdom, where she was diagnosed with multiple complex conditions, including Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Global Developmental Delay. Despite her struggles, Oluwatoyitan remained a beacon of strength, defying medical expectations until her passing in October 2024,” she revealed.

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Instead of allowing grief to consume her, Adeloye turned her pain into purpose, vowing to create a centre that would prevent other families from enduring the same hardships. “OAK Centre Prime will provide specialized therapy, medical support, and educational services, offering a holistic approach to disability care in Nigeria,” she assured.

With the groundbreaking ceremony on the horizon, Adeloye is calling on government agencies, corporate organizations, medical professionals, and the general public to support the vision. She emphasized that true change requires collective effort—from funding and policy enforcement to increased awareness and professional volunteering.

“This is not just about one centre. It’s about creating a movement that ensures every child, regardless of ability, has access to the care and dignity they deserve,” she said.