An NGO, Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigerian (DSFN), on Saturday provided free medical services to no fewer than 300 persons with disabilities and less-privileged children in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the medical outreach was part of the foundation’s events to mark the Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness month; its purpose is to raise public awareness of this disorder and advocate acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
Mrs. Rose Mordi, DSFN President, said that the health programme was part of the Foundation’s social responsibility aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of indigent persons particularly those with disabilities.
Mordi said that the outreach provided the beneficiaries with general consultation for congenital issues, referrals, general medical services, pediatric care and free drugs.
She listed other interventions to include screening for common ailments, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis, typhoid fever and blood sugar, among others.
According to her, the medical interventions are necessary because most times, people with disabilities are usually predisposed to other underlying medical conditions and ailments.
“We have engaged the services of medical practitioners/volunteers, who will carry out diagnosis, treatments and give referral where necessary.
“So far, we have attended to 200 persons with disabilities including their parents/caregivers. Our target is 250 to 300 persons, because we do not want people to overcrowd the premises due to adherence to COVID-19 protocols,” she said.
The NGO’s Administrator , Mrs. Senbanjo Aanu, enjoined governments to promote equality of treatment and opportunities for persons with disability.
Aanu suggested that equal treatment for persons with disabilities in the labour market, would enable them contribute to economic development.
She said that people with disability made up greater percentage of the Nigerian population, adding that many of them were in the working class.
The administrator said that there were abilities and talents in every disability, adding that it was important to support persons of disabilities in unleashing their potential.
“Persons with disability are still denied access to healthcare services, jobs and schools, rejection from their families and treated unfairly because of their status.
“One out of every seven people in the world has a disability, and the vast majority of them are of working age; but most of them do not enjoy the right to work,” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN thanked the Foundation for the gesture and urged other people with disability to come out en-mass for the free medical service.
Mrs. Dorathy Kalu, a beneficiary, thanked the foundation for providing them the free medical services.
“This is a great privilege because it will cost much to access these medical services in the hospitals,” she said.
Kalu, parent of down syndrome child, urged the the Federal Government to intensity efforts at providing free medical services for people with disability particularly children.
According to her, most parents do not have the financial capability to cater for their down syndrome children. (NAN)
