…Laments Nigeria’s poor health facilities
OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) operating in Nigeria and the UK, has announced plans to build an all-equipped state-of-the-art facility for children with special needs in Nigeria.
The centre will provide a specifically designed and fully accessible facility, diagnostic services, accommodations and day-care services for 250 children and young adults with disabilities, incorporating education and therapeutic facilities.
According to the organisation, the need to fill the gaps in raising the special children and seeing a change within the healthcare system inspired the decision to set up the project.
Olufunke Adeloye, chief responsibility officer (CRO) at OAKonsult, speaking on the story behind the organisation’s commitment to raise the project, referenced her daughter Chikatara Adeleye who became a victim of brain damage after 18 months, out of negligence in a Lagos hospital and was under diagnosis till she passed at age 16.
“The centre is established to address and care for children with disabilities. That is why we want to establish Oak Centre Prime.
“All the children or people with disabilities can still be enabled to live a fulfilled life with available resources, and that’s what we want to demonstrate at Oak Centre Prime. We are focusing on education, health and social care.
“We want to have therapeutic input that can dictate for them quickly to help them and the parents. We want to have the equipment to enable and support them without going outside the country. We need to take care, nurture and love them. The parents, community and government need to know there is a need to support them,” Adeloye said
She added that the project, estimated to sit on hectares of land, will be located in Ogbomosho in Oyo State after their proposal was granted by the king as a deed of gift.
Meanwhile, the ground-breaking event for the project, estimated to cost millions of dollars, has been scheduled for April 22nd, 202,5 in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
She, therefore, called on government agencies, corporate organisations, medical professionals, and the public to support the vision, emphasising that actual change requires collective efforts, from funding and policy enforcement to increased awareness and professional volunteering.
“We cannot exist without collaborating with the government, though the structure is challenging to navigate. This is why we need everyone to drive the initiative. We also urge the government and everyone to see the change it can bring and support it,” she added.
The organisation also urged the government to implement more favourable policies around inclusion, education, and healthcare, which will help accelerate the dream of Oak Centre Prime.
The CRO also suggested that assessment equipment be provided in schools to detect when a child is gradually changing in behaviour from other kids which can help in earlier dictation and control of disabilities among children.
Deji Irawo, advisory member, OAKonsult, expressed delight in participating in the initiative as a community leader.
“For me, it’s an honour and privilege to be part of it and change the narrative in Nigeria, believing that the country will be better, especially from the royal institute.
The children are special, and we need to let people and society know that these children are special,” Irawo noted.
