By FATIMA MOHAMMED-LAWAL

The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria on Wednesday appealed to government at all tiers to establish more Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rehabilitation centres for survivors across Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Kwara chapter of the association, Mr Abdul-Azeez Muyideen, made the call at a news conference in Ilorin, ahead of the 2025 World Spinal Cord Injury Day, annually observed on Sept. 5.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2025 SCI Day is “Fall Prevention, Spinal Cord Protection”, which lays emphasis on one of the most critical, yet preventable risks for people living with spinal cord injuries.

The spinal cord Is a vital part of the central nervous system, extending from the brainstem to the lower back, and is responsible for transmitting nerve signals between the brain and the body.

However, a spinal cord injury often causes permanent changes in strength, feeling and other body functions below the site of the injury as it involves damage to any part of the spinal cord.

Muyideen, therefore, observed that “Nigeria does not have enough rehabilitation centres for effective treatment of people affected by SCI.”

He said rehabilitation centres are specialised facilities that provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to help individuals with SCI to maximise their functional independence and reintegrate into their community after injury.

He explained that “such centres should also provide the needed therapy to help survivors to deal with the trauma they are going through, as some don’t have support and face stigma and rejection, which may lead to suicidal thoughts and depression.”

The chairman observed that the theme of the 2025 global observance is apt, adding that falls often begin at home due to spilled water on the floor, cluttered surroundings, slippery toilets and accidents.

He, therefore, cautioned parents to enlighten their children against rough plays, climbing trees and engaging in violence, adding that these could predispose people to SCI.

He advised people with SCI to seek medical help and warned them against loneliness and staying indoors, saying “people with SCI can suffer from bed sore if they are left indoors for long and this can have adverse repercussion on their body.

“People should seek prompt medical attention if they have any issues with their spinal cord.”(NAN)