By Olusegun Obisanya
The Interim President of The Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), Abdulwahab Matepo has hinted on the need to put an end to destructive violence in society in the bid to protect the sensitive human nervous system, as the association joins the rest of the globe to mark the international spinal cord injuries awareness day.
The international awareness day is marked annually on September 5, and the theme is “End violence: Protect spinal cord.
In a signed statement, Matepo said, “The Awareness Day, which holds every September 5, is a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with spinal cord injuries and an opportunity to emphasise the global commitment to prevention. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is ubiquitous and can occur in an instant, often due to preventable causes.
“In line with this year’s theme, we wish to highlight the importance of ending violent confrontations and the imperative of protecting the spinal cord. The devastating effects of exposing the spinal cord to injuries are better imagined than experienced.”
Describing spinal cord as a vital part of the central nervous system, and damage to it can result in life-changing consequences, the interim president added that the rising cases of spinal cord injuries resulting from violence in all its forms, remain a major concern globally.
“From physical assaults to gunshots, the effects of spinal cord injuries (SCI) – paralysis, loss of sensation and mobility, chronic pain, and respiratory and cardiovascular complications, etc – are often irreversible. Other causes of SCIs are road traffic crashes, falls, sport injuries and birth defects.
“By taking simple precautions and being mindful of our actions, we can significantly reduce the risk of SCIs. To this end, governments and individuals should strive to promote non-violent conflict resolution, support violence prevention programmes, address the menace of non-state actors involved in violent activities.”
Matepo identified absence of a SCI policy and support services as the greatest challenge faced by spinal cord injured persons in Nigeria.
“Often times, damage to the spinal cord is aggravated by untrained first responders, lack of immediate medical attention and the absence of rehabilitation facilities. The near total absence of spinal cord injured persons in Nigeria’s public space (unlike the blind, deaf, polio survivors and those with albinism) is due to the absence of post-injury support systems, especially rehabilitation.”
The association commended the Lagos State Government for allocation of a parcel of land to SCIAN to build a befitting SCI Rehabilitation Centre in Nigeria. They also called on public spirited individuals and organisations to support the realisation of the objective.
