The Chairman of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria, Sokoto State chapter, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, said they have lost many members because of the high cost of treatment.
Ibrahim who spoke at an event to commemoration this year’s “World Spinal Cord Injury Day”, expressed concerns that its members were dying because they could not afford medication.
According to him, spinal cord operation is now one million naira but before the operation, one would have to spend N75,000 on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
“And we pay N2000 to N3000 on each physiotherapy session. This is very disturbing because some of these people cannot afford three square meals. Some have to dispose of their land to pay for the MRI test, but cannot pay for the operation.
“We are appealing to the government to subsidise spinal cord injury treatment in order to save our lives,” he said.
He also regretted how their members were losing their spouses because of their problems.
“I have a member who was divorced by her husband and some whose wives have left them because of their problems,” he added.
He said that the international Republic institution (IRI) and leprosy mission have helped immensely in organizing series of event in order to implement and domesticate disability act, including a public hearing last week.
He further added that in the recent event sponsored by Tambuwal Youth Ambassadors (TYA) the Commissioner of Social Welfare, Haijà, Prof. Aisha Madawaki, gave five tricycles and promised to give her support when needed.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and urged state governments to domesticate the act in their respective states.
Abdulazeez Ibrahim was yesterday, Wednesday appointed by Gov. Tambuwal as special adviser to governor on Disability matters in Sokoto State.