The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) has raised concerns over the plight of spinal cord injury victims calling urgent and sustained interventions to improve their health status.
Speaking during an awareness campaign to mark the World Spinal Cord Injury Day, The Co-ordinator V-PeSDI Hannatu Suleiman Abba Express that, road traffic accidents, domestic falls, and workplace hazards remain the leading causes of spinal cord injuries which reflects to lifelong disabilities for victims.
According to Abba, the burden of treatment and rehabilitation is too heavy for most families to Carter with inadequate rehabilitation centers and essential assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walking aids and financial support which worsen the physical and psychological struggles of victims.
With this , V-PeSDI urged the government to establish specialized rehabilitation centers and to provide free medical care services for victims who are the most vulnerable.
Moreover, Hannatu also emphasized the need for subsidized medical treatment , access to affordable assistive devices to reduce the financial burden on victims and other basic materials for personal hygiene .
V-PeSDI further appealed to civil society organization to intensify awareness campaigns, provide psychosocial support, and advocate for stronger disability rights protections in the state.
In addition, V-PeSDI also encouraged philanthropists and corporate bodies to sponsor physiotherapy programs, donate mobility aids, support educational, vocational and empowerment opportunities for survivors.
Hannatu Suleiman Abba stressed that, spinal cord injury should not be seen as the end of life rather a dimensional aspect to showcase the abilities in disabilities.