**This article delves into the life-changing efforts of Nonye Nweke, founder of the Cerebral Palsy Centre, and the challenges faced by families in Nigeria regarding untreated jaundice.**
**A Mother’s Fight Against Jaundice-Related Cerebral Palsy in Nigeria**
**A Mother’s Fight Against Jaundice-Related Cerebral Palsy in Nigeria**
**A dedicated mother works tirelessly to combat neonatal jaundice, a leading cause of cerebral palsy in Nigeria’s youth.**
In Nigeria, where poverty and inadequate healthcare threaten young lives, one mother's determination shines through. Nonye Nweke, a single mother, founded the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Lagos after her daughter, Zimuzo, was diagnosed with the condition. At 17 years old, Zimuzo, like many children in Nigeria, suffers due to a lack of awareness surrounding neonatal jaundice, which can lead to cerebral palsy if untreated.
Cerebral palsy, often linked to untreated jaundice in Nigerian newborns, is prevalent, yet the country has limited facilities for care. According to a 2017 estimate, around 700,000 individuals are living with this neurological disorder in Nigeria. Neonatal jaundice, characterized by high levels of bilirubin in the blood, affects over 60% of newborns. Although most cases resolve quickly and are treatable with UV light therapy, delayed access to this care can result in severe, permanent neurological damage.
Ms. Nweke opened her centre to provide critical support to children like Baba, a 22-year-old boy left abandoned as a baby, who relies on full-time care at the centre. With only three privately-run cerebral palsy facilities in a nation of over 200 million, the resources available fall drastically short of the needs. The Cerebral Palsy Centre serves 12 children but faces significant demand, with over 100 families awaiting support.
Underfunded and overwhelmed, the care required for each child at the centre costs around $1,000 monthly, a staggering amount in a country where many work for less than $540 a year. This financial strain compounds the emotional burden on parents, as they grapple with the realities of caring for a child with severe needs in a society that often stigmatizes disabilities.
A recent initiative, the Oscar Project, aims to tackle these issues by improving the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal jaundice. Launched in Lagos, the project trains healthcare workers to screen and treat jaundice effectively, mitigating the risks of neurological conditions in newborns.
As Nigeria strives to improve its healthcare system, the call to action grows louder. With the drive of advocates like Ms. Nweke and community support, the hope is to protect future generations from the devastating consequences of untreated jaundice, changing the narrative for children with disabilities in Nigeria. The path ahead remains challenging, but the fight is on for a healthier, more understanding future.
