World Polio Day: Philanthropist urges more government support for survivors
Chief Ayuba Gufwan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, Jos, has called on goverment to support and pay maximum attention towards addressing the needs of Polio survivors in Nigeria.
Gufwan, a polio survivor, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos in commemoration of the 2022 World Polio Day.
Gufwan, who is also the Special Adviser on Disability to Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, commended goverment’s efforts towards eradicating polio in the country, but lamented the utter neglect of its survivors.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Disability Bill, but said that more was needed to be done to rehabilitate polio survivors in the country.
”Frankly speaking, government has not done much to meet the yearnings of the entire citizenry, talk more of polio victims.
”In the Northern part of the country, you see them everywhere on the street begging.
” But in the south where shame will not allow them to beg on the street, they become a huge burden to their families and loved ones.
”We thank Mr president for signing into law the disability law, but that has not solved all the plights of Perosns Living with Disabilities (PWDs) because there are millions of polio survivors that need attention.
”We hope that the provisions of the law will be fully implemented to give all PWDs the maximum attention in terms of rehabilitation and inclusiveness,” he said.
Gufwan also advised goverment to deploy the approach it used in tackling polio in the country to fight other diseases confronting the nation.
”Nigeria should adopt the lessons it used in the fight against polio, to eradicate other duplicating diseases such as malaria and others,” he advised.
He called on parents to ensure their children were regularly immunised against polio, adding that those whose children have survived the disease should provide care by ensuring they go to school or learn a trade.
NAN reports that the theme for this year’s celebration is ”World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children”. (NAN)
