In Abuja, during a press briefing hosted by the Brain & Spine Foundation Africa for Brain Awareness Week 2024, survivors of brain tumors and injuries have urged the Federal Government to create a trust fund to assist those suffering from these health challenges. This call is in response to the desperate need for resources and supportive measures for individuals coping with the financial and emotional burdens of brain-related conditions. Moreover, the event sought to enhance public understanding of neurological conditions through concerted advocacy and information dissemination, particularly in the grassroots sector where misdiagnosis is common.
The Global Brain Awareness Week serves as an instrumental campaign to promote brain science and lay emphasis on neurological health. Participants at the Abuja session voiced a common need for heightened awareness, ensuring that critical information reaches underserved communities. Mrs. Joy Kemakolam, a brain tumor survivor, zealously drew attention to the hardships faced by patients, including the prohibitive costs of treatment, and called for immediate government action to provide economic relief and support for affected families.
Ms. Judith Akin-Moses, another survivor, relayed her harrowing ordeal living with a brain tumor. She pressed for the education of educators and parents on the early indicators of brain disorders, highlighting the difference that knowledge and timely support can make in the lives of patients. Akin-Moses, in her narrative, stressed the lasting impact of having a support system and adequate resources for rehabilitation and recovery.
Source: Science Nigeria