Muibat Akintayo, the Director of the Physiotherapy Department at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State, highlighted key health conditions contributing to brain damage in newborns, resulting in deformities among children.
She made these remarks in Ibadan, on last Wednesday, during a get-together organized by the UCH physiotherapy department for physically challenged children in the state.
Akintayo identified meningitis, jaundice, and mishandling of babies during delivery as significant factors leading to deformities in children.
The annual event, initiated over 50 years ago, aims to bring joy to over 400 physically challenged children during the festive season.
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Calling for government intervention, Akintayo urged authorities at all levels to implement policies that enhance the living standards of people with disabilities in Nigeria.
She emphasized the importance of implementing existing policies, including the Disability Act signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019.
Akintayo particularly stressed the need to involve physically challenged individuals in the National Health Insurance Scheme to alleviate the financial burden on their families.
Mrs. Oyinlola Kehinde, the planning committee chairperson, explained that the event aimed to provide physically challenged children with a sense of belonging during the festive season and raise awareness about the public’s responsibility to care for them.
During the occasion, Damola Awosika, the chairman, pledged to celebrate his birthday annually with the children and donate received gifts to the department for distribution.
Oluwasegun Akinlosotu, a participant in the yearly program since childhood, emphasized the fixed nature of the event, expressing gratitude for the consistent support.
Parents of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Awelewa Temitope and Mrs. Okome Folorunso, praised the department for its generosity and the quality of gifts provided to the children.
The event concluded with the presentation of various gifts, including crutches and toys, to the physically challenged beneficiaries.
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