Kano — Engr. Abdul Haruna, a prominent disability rights advocate and former Chairman of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), Kano Chapter, has called for the constitutional recognition of spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors and the formulation of a comprehensive national policy to address their unique needs.
In a memorandum submitted on Saturday, Haruna urged the Federal Government to adopt a National Spinal Cord Injuries Policy that recognizes the distinct challenges SCI survivors face, which he noted are not adequately addressed under the existing disability framework. While SCI survivors are often grouped under the broader category of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Haruna emphasized that their conditions require specialized medical, rehabilitative, and social interventions.
He highlighted that more than 4,000 new SCI cases are recorded annually in Kano State alone, the majority resulting from road traffic accidents. According to him, the scale of the problem warrants urgent national attention through a coordinated policy response.
Among the key policy recommendations, Haruna proposed the enactment of the Spinal Cord Injury Medical Rehabilitation Center Establishment Act, 2025, which would provide the legal basis for creating specialized medical centers dedicated to SCI treatment and rehabilitation. He also called for the establishment of a National Spinal Cord Injury Commission (NSCIC) to coordinate national efforts, oversee implementation of SCI-specific programs, and serve as a central body for survivor support and research. Furthermore, he recommended the development of a National Spinal Cord Injury Strategic Plan, which would outline the government’s long-term goals and implementation roadmap.
To address medical infrastructure gaps, the memorandum advocates for the establishment of well-equipped, high-quality SCI rehabilitation centers in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These facilities would offer comprehensive care, including surgery, physiotherapy, psychological support, and vocational rehabilitation. The integration of SCI-specific treatment into the National Health Insurance Scheme was also proposed to ensure affordability and access.
Beyond healthcare, Haruna stressed the importance of survivor empowerment through education and employment. He proposed free education and vocational training programs for SCI survivors and their caregivers, along with job placement initiatives and entrepreneurship support schemes tailored to their needs. These measures, he said, would promote self-reliance and reduce the socioeconomic burden on families and communities.
The memorandum also emphasized the need for improved accessibility and public awareness. It calls for the nationwide enforcement of disability-accessible building and transportation standards, as well as sustained public sensitization campaigns to combat stigma and discrimination against SCI survivors. To promote inclusion and raise national consciousness, Haruna suggested designating September 5th as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day.
In terms of legal protections, the proposal seeks stronger anti-discrimination laws to safeguard SCI survivors in education, employment, and healthcare. These protections, Haruna noted, would ensure their full integration into society and safeguard their rights.
He concluded by affirming that the proposed policy aligns with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and enhances the mission of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). However, he stressed that a focused approach is necessary to address the specific realities of living with a spinal cord injury in Nigeria.
“This initiative is not just about improving medical care,” he said. “It’s about restoring dignity, promoting inclusion, and enabling sustainable livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians whose lives have been dramatically altered by spinal cord injuries.”
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