The Festus Fajemilo Foundation has announced plans to establish a specialised centre for people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, aimed at improving access to treatment, rehabilitation and long-term healthcare support.
The foundation said the proposed facility would provide a coordinated range of medical and support services to address the difficulties faced by affected individuals and their families, particularly the limited availability of specialised care in Nigeria.
The Co-founder and Executive Director of the foundation, Afolabi Fajemilo, disclosed this during the launch of its 20-Year Impact Report, held as part of activities marking its 20th anniversary under the theme, “Two Decades of Dignity, Access and Equal Opportunity”.
Fajemilo expressed concern over the absence of standard rehabilitation pathways for people living with the conditions, noting that the planned Centre for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus would serve as a hub for treatment, research and rehabilitation.
He explained that the facility would also incorporate diagnostic services, including Computerised Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, to reduce the financial burden associated with accessing essential medical investigations.
According to him, patients requiring emergency medical attention are often asked to undergo CT scans or MRI examinations, which many families struggle to afford.
He said the foundation intended to make such services available at subsidised rates to ensure that beneficiaries could access timely medical care.
The executive director also called on federal and state governments to incorporate spina bifida and hydrocephalus into national health and disability policies, stressing the need for stronger protection and healthcare coverage for affected individuals.
He maintained that no patient should be denied medical attention because of their family’s inability to pay, urging the government to strengthen health insurance coverage and ensure that people living with disabilities are not excluded from essential services.
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not develop properly, while hydrocephalus involves an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain, which can result in serious complications requiring ongoing medical care.
Reflecting on the foundation’s achievements over the past two decades, Fajemilo said the organisation had supported affected individuals and families through healthcare interventions, advocacy, inclusive education, empowerment and disability inclusion programmes.
He disclosed that the foundation had reached about 400 families and currently worked with 11 teaching hospitals across five geopolitical zones, providing continuous healthcare support that considers the needs of people living with disabilities.
Fajemilo added that some children who benefited from the foundation’s interventions in its early years had grown into young adults, with some graduating from school, securing employment and becoming advocates for people living with disabilities.
He said the organisation had also helped build a community that gives people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus a stronger voice, confidence and sense of belonging.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide, commended the foundation for its contributions to improving the welfare and quality of life of affected individuals.
Lajide, who was represented by Dr Olajumoke Aromashodu, said achieving universal health coverage required more than the provision of healthcare facilities, stressing the importance of ensuring that everyone had access to essential services regardless of their economic circumstances.
She encouraged sustained collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organisations, development partners and communities to strengthen early detection, appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and social support for people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
