UNILAG College of Medicine alumni seeks adequate care for children with disabilities

The 2002 University of Lagos College of Medicine alumni have called for adequate care for children with disabilities or special needs.

Olasode Akinmokun, the chairman of the 2002 alumni association, spoke during the unveiling of the kitchen and ceiling refurbishment donated to the Children’s Development Centre, Surulere, Lagos.

The donation was part of activities to mark a one-week-long event of the association’s reunion.

Akinmokuns aid there is no need to discriminate against children with special needs.

“There are people with special needs and there are things that they can do to help the community, society and Nigeria,” he said.

“Everyone should accept them for who they are and allow them to get integrated into society and live their lives in full.

“This is because we still need some of the skills and knowledge that they have to also help build this country.

“We have to continue to identify with them. We have to continue to raise awareness because, you know, it is not far-fetched, the fact that we’re still struggling with a lot of stigma when it comes to children with special needs, children that are autistic or that are finding it difficult either to move or have any growth deformity or the other.

“To prevent that and to ensure that they are easily integrated into the society, we must continue to do a lot of awareness.

“We must continue to make sure that they identify with them through ventures like carrying out projects with them, interacting and visiting them in their various centres.

“In that way, we can raise awareness and help to reduce as much as possible the discrimination that they are suffering as children with special needs.”