The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria on Wednesday appealed to government at all tiers to establish more Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rehabilitation centres for survivors across Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Kwara chapter of the association, Mr Abdul-Azeez Muyideen, made the call at a news conference in Ilorin, ahead of the 2025 World Spinal Cord Injury Day, annually observed on Sept. 5.
“Nigeria does not have enough rehabilitation centres for effective treatment of people affected by SCI,” Muyideen said.
He explained that rehabilitation centres are specialised facilities providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to help individuals with SCI maximise their functional independence and reintegrate into their communities after injury.
“Such centres should also provide the needed therapy to help survivors deal with the trauma they are going through, as some don’t have support and face stigma and rejection, which may lead to suicidal thoughts and depression,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2025 SCI Day is “Fall Prevention, Spinal Cord Protection”, which emphasises one of the most critical, yet preventable, risks for people living with spinal cord injuries.
Muyideen noted that falls often begin at home due to spilled water on the floor, cluttered surroundings, slippery toilets, and accidents.
“Parents should enlighten their children against rough play, climbing trees and engaging in violence, as these could predispose people to SCI,” he said.
He also advised people living with SCI to seek medical help promptly and warned against loneliness and staying indoors.
“People with SCI can suffer from bed sores if they are left indoors for long, and this can have adverse repercussions on their body. People should seek prompt medical attention if they have any issues with their spinal cord,” he added.
(NAN)