…. urges govt to create more neuro rehabilitation center
The Spine and Brain Foundation Africa has solicited for more funds to project public awareness and education against cases of spinal cord and brain injury due to road accidents.
The Founder and Executive Director Brain & Spine Foundation Africa, Engr. Chika Okwuolisa while speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the National Brain and Spine Injury Conference 2023 stated that the
the dream of comprehensive intervention and funding appears distant, and those affected find themselves grappling with neglect in the broader healthcare discourse.
Okwuolisa noted that the suffering of survival serves as a testament to the life-altering nature of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries—not just for the survivors alone but for their families and the communities that bear Witness to their struggles, hence the need for more funding.
She explained that Brain and spinal cord injuries are not mere statistics but they are profound disruptions to lives, families, and communities in which behind each incident is & narrative of pain, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit and as such the need to find innovative solutions, foster awareness, and fortify their emergency response mechanisms.
“We also aim to enhance the effectiveness of our emergency rescue systems, recognizing the profound truth that in the realm of brain injuries, every passing minute can reshape a life.
“Urgently, we call for funds to amplify public awareness and education. Collaborations and training programs must be prioritized as we work towards a future where the prevention of these injuries becomes second nature.
“Our motivation extends beyond the present generation; we undertake this responsibility for our future generations because, in the unpredictable course of life, nobody is immune from its events.”
Similarly, Okwuolisa lamented the few numbers of neuro rehabilitation centres and mass exodus neurological professionals but urged the government to create more neuro centers and improve the welfare of neuro professionals to cater for victims of brain and spine injury.
“We need a comprehensive neuro rehab center in Nigeria, everyday 24 people die from road accident according to data from the FRSC and 34 million sustain brain injury but the only way to reduce it is to continue to educate people because the only key to preventing road accident is through education and sensitization.
“Let us not forget the harsh reality that our country faces a scarcity of neuro professionals. The current harsh economic conditions have triggered a mass exodus of medical professionals to nations where their welfare is prioritized.
“This mass departure accentuates the critical need for the prevention of neurological emergencies, especially considering the inadequacy of our primary healthcare to stabilize patients and transport them to facilities equipped to manage such cases.”
She however appeal to all Nigerians to take preventive measures always especially to avoid road crashes which is the only antidote to being a victim of brain and spine injury.
Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali represented by the Corps Medical Officer, Dr Davidson Okuobeya stated that due to the large population of Nigerians and soaring number of road crashes, the FRSC need a staff capacity of 500,000 to respond adequately to road crashes.
Biu assured that with collaboration with other sister agencies, ambulances manned by trained paramedics from FRSC will soon be made available nationwide to respond cases of road crashes and reduce the cases of brain and spine injury.
