By Chukwuma Umeorah
stakeholders have called for an end to the stigma and discrimination faced by persons with down syndrome in Nigeria, stressing the need for better healthcare, stronger legal protections and increased societal inclusion.
National Administrator of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Nike Denis, at an event in Lagos to mark the World Down Syndrome Day, decried the marginalisation of persons with intellectual disabilities in Nigeria. She emphasised the urgent need for greater societal support and government’s intervention to improve their quality of life.
“Here in Nigeria, there’s still a lot of stigma. Many people don’t even know what it’s about. When they see someone with a disability, they look in shock or with pity. What we are saying is, we don’t want them to look at persons with disabilities with pity, they have rights, just like you and I,” she stated.
A major concern raised was the lack of accurate data on persons with DS in Nigeria, which affects policy implementation and service delivery. “We are still relying, unfortunately, on global data. Statistics show that globally, one in about 700 children is born with DS. But, we need to take a step further to determine how many cases we have in Nigeria so that we can begin to effect real change,” Denis noted.
The Foundation also called for more opportunities in education and employment to promote inclusivity. “We want to empower them in all sectors, including education and employment. We want to see them in workplaces, actively engaged. But, persons with intellectual disabilities remain marginalised.”
She noted that access to specialised healthcare remains a critical challenge, as many persons with DS experience delays in treatment due to a shortage of trained professionals.
Chief Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olufunmilayo Akinola, stressed the need for specialised care. “We need to move beyond long waiting times to a point, where persons with disabilities are prioritised for timely medical attention in dignified settings,” she said.
Akinola commended the efforts of the government, particularly Lagos State, but emphasised that more needed to be done, including special training for health workers and addressing the brain drain that has contributed to the shortage of medical professionals.
Legal experts at the event stressed the importance of enforcing disability rights. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Funmi Falana, cited Section 42 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability.
“Whatever policies, privileges or rights that are available to the non-vulnerable persons, should also be accessible to those who are vulnerable. But, as it stands today, the public has a nonchalant attitude towards these individuals.”
Falana further criticised the government’s failure to implement healthcare policies designed for persons with DS. “The National Health Insurance Act specifies that vulnerable persons should have access to well-defined medicare. But, we lack medical experts in our hospitals, and most healthcare workers are not trained to attend to persons with DS,” she added, urging the government, private sector and civil society to collaborate in ensuring that persons with the condition receive the support and opportunities they need to thrive.