By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, SCIAN, has called for the establishment of a road crash victims’ fund in Nigeria to provide financial support to those who suffer permanent disabilities in meeting medical costs and living expenses.

It also identified the absence of a Spinal Cord Injuries, SCIs’ policy, as well as fund support services as the greatest challenges faced by spinal cord injured persons in Nigeria.

Interim President, SCIAN, Abdulwahab Matepo, made the remarks in a statement marking the commemoration of 2024 International Spinal Cord Injuries Awareness Day, with the theme: “End Violence: Protect Spinal Cord.”

The Awareness Day, which holds every September 5, is a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries, SCIs and an opportunity to stress the global commitment to prevention.

According to Matepo, “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. The spinal cord is a vital part of our central nervous system, and damage to it can result in life-changing consequences as being experienced by our members.

“The rising cases of SCIs resulting from violence in all its forms remain a major concern globally, not least in Nigeria with the activities of terrorists and the so-called bandits.

“From physical assaults to gunshots, the effects of SCIs -paralysis, loss of sensation and mobility, chronic pain, and respiratory and cardiovascular complications, among others 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, wear seatbelts and helmets, practice safe sports and recreational activities, ensure proper fall prevention measures especially in the construction industry.

“Fund research and support services for SCI survivors. The absence of a SCI policy and support services are the greatest challenges faced by spinal cord injured persons in Nigeria.

“Most 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.”

While commending the Lagos State Government for the allocation of a parcel of land to SCIAN to build a befitting SCI Rehabilitation Centre in Nigeria, the association called on public spirited individuals and organisations to support the realization of this objective which remains a mirage 40 years after the establishment of the SCIAN.

“Given that majority of Nigerians with spinal cord injuries are victims of road traffic crashes, we also call for the establishment of a road crash victims fund to provide financial support to those who suffer permanent disabilities to meet medical costs and living expenses.

“The management of SCIs is very expensive and has led to abandonment and impoverishment of families and friends. Apart from Europe and other developed countries, African countries like Namibia, Botswana and South Africa already have such support funds to cushion the challenges faced by their citizens who sustain injuries on the road.

“This could be embedded in the vehicle insurance payments as well as collections or dues by road transport unions and transferred to the Support Fund to be managed by relevant stakeholders, including persons with disabilities,” the association stated.