Thousands of families in Nigeria continue to face overwhelming challenges in accessing proper healthcare and support for children with disabilities, according to OAK Centre Prime, a non-governmental organization. Despite Nigeria signing the Disability Act in 2008 and ratifying it in 2010, implementation has been slow, leaving families to bear the financial and emotional burdens alone. Many parents struggle to afford essential medical services, with some forced to seek expensive care abroad — an option out of reach for most. This leaves countless children without the support they need to thrive.
OAK Centre Prime seeks to fill this gap by providing medical care, rehabilitation, and advocacy to ensure children with disabilities receive quality, comprehensive support. The centre’s mission is rooted in the personal experience of Mrs. Olufunke Adeloye, Chief Responsibility Officer of OAKonsult Disabilities. She shared the heartbreaking story of her daughter, Oluwatoyitan Adeloye, who suffered severe brain damage due to medical negligence in Nigeria. The family later moved to the United Kingdom, where Oluwatoyitan was diagnosed with complex conditions, including Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Global Developmental Delay. Despite her resilience, she passed away in October 2024.
Turning her grief into purpose, Adeloye vowed to create a centre that would prevent other families from facing similar struggles. OAK Centre Prime will offer specialized therapy, medical services, and educational programs — a holistic approach aimed at improving the lives of children with disabilities in Nigeria. She emphasized that families should no longer have to seek healthcare solutions abroad, and children deserve compassionate, high-quality care within the country.
With the centre’s groundbreaking ceremony on the horizon, Adeloye is calling on government agencies, corporate bodies, medical professionals, and the public to support the initiative.
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