The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) has urged the federal government to intensify efforts to put in place the right structures needed to enhance the healthcare needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The president of DSFN, Rose Mordi, gave the advice during a health walk organised by the foundation to mark the 2025 Down Syndrome Awareness Month with the theme: “Inclusive  Healthcare Support for All” on Saturday in Lagos.

October is Down syndrome awareness month, which aims to raise public awareness about the condition and to advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Ms Mordi, who decried that PWDs, specifically Down syndrome, had been neglected for so long, said the healthcare system should be structured to include the health needs of people with intellectual disability- Down syndrome.

According to her, people with Down syndrome often require some specific healthcare that is not readily offered by the nation’s healthcare system, as most of them are usually born with “a hole in the heart” that requires surgery.

She explained that because the health system usually did not provide the needed medical services, children with Down syndrome were being taken abroad for the surgical operation, which required a lot of money.

Ms Mordi lamented that the financial implications of the surgery, which were not readily available, alongside economic recession and other challenges, often contribute to the early deaths of the children.

She, therefore, urged the government to structure the health system to cater for the health needs of people with Down syndrome so that all their medical needs would be provided within the country.

According to her, the government, policy-makers and leaders should begin to put the health issues of people with Down syndrome on the front burner.

“We do not want to be taking these children out of the country for medical care as we have been doing before.

“As everybody knows, globally, there have been a lot of recessions, issues and challenges – we don’t have the funds to take them out.

“Because they are born with a lot of health issues that have been neglected, so many of them die early, not because they have Down syndrome, but because their medical issues have not been addressed.

“Let the government properly fix up our hospitals to be able to address this issue, to take care of Down syndrome health needs. We have the manpower, but the right structure and equipment are not there.

“The government should put the right structures in place to take care of their medical needs, so that they will be properly included in the spheres of life in the society,” Ms Mordi said.

Speaking, the national administrator of the foundation, Nike Denis, said the essence of the walk was not only to create awareness about Down syndrome, but also to advocate for total inclusion of PWDs in society.

Ms Dennis underscored the need to give equal opportunities, rights and treatments to PWDs like every other individual in the society.

She reiterated the need for the government and lawmakers to prioritise their health, saying that it was only when they were healthy that they could contribute and make meaningful impacts in the economy.

“People with Down syndrome are just like everyone else. They have similar dreams and goals, and they want to have successful careers and families.

“Let them be given equal rights and opportunities like every other citizen in the society. Their health is key to whatever impacts they can make to the country,” she said.

A parent, Emmanuel Okoesele, urged the government to enact a law that would promote recognition for PWDs, making society understand that PWDs could actually contribute to economic growth and development of the country.

Mr Okoesele, who decried that the government was not doing enough for the PWDs, advised that efforts should be geared toward their recognition and total inclusion in all spheres of life in society.

“I’m a parent and that’s my daughter with Down syndrome over here; so many other parents hide their own inside the house.

“Parents are suffering, a lot of us are paying out of pocket to cater for these children.

“We have found out that the government is not doing enough for the PWDs. This kind of awareness is supposed to be done by the government.

“Let the government make a law that will promote recognition of PWDs; so that the people will know that they can make an impact in society, and thereby give the needed support and opportunity,” he said.

(NAN)