By Queen Kunde
Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish Medical Rehabilitation Centres across Nigeria, with a focus on neuro-rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, made the announcement in Abuja on Friday at a symposium marking the 2025 World Spinal Cord Injury Day. The event, themed “Fall Prevention, Spinal Cord Protection, Empowering Lives, Enhancing Opportunities”, was jointly organised by the Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCIAN), FCT Chapter, and Brain and Spine Foundation Africa.
Delivering the keynote, Isa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s resolve to improve the quality of life for persons living with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.
“Through targeted interventions, assistive devices, and inclusive policies, the government is determined to ensure no citizen is denied health, dignity, or opportunity,” Isa said.
He revealed that his office has partnered with the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria (MRTB) to drive the initiative, which is currently at the “situation assessment stage”. This phase, he explained, involves evaluating existing facilities, identifying gaps, and preparing a National Policy on Rehabilitation alongside a Strategic Plan.
“When fully implemented, this framework will transform rehabilitation services in Nigeria and restore hope to countless families,” Isa assured.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Chapter, Comrade Grace Ike, raised concerns over the rising cases of spinal cord injuries globally, citing road crashes and falls as major causes. She pledged the Union’s support for persons with disabilities and urged policymakers to tighten road safety laws, strengthen workplace protections, and enhance healthcare systems.
“To the media, our task is to keep disability at the heart of the public agenda. To our communities, create safer environments. And to individuals, take responsibility whether on the road, at work, or at home,” Ike charged.
Also speaking, the Chairman of SCIAN FCT, Chioma Maureen Egede, stressed the urgency of prevention and inclusion.
“Falls remain one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries globally, and the impact here in Nigeria is deeply felt,” she said. “This gathering must spark change, inspire action, and renew our resolve to build a safer, more inclusive future.”
The symposium brought together policymakers, disability advocates, journalists, and medical experts, united in the call for stronger rehabilitation systems and inclusive health policies nationwide.
Discussion about this post