Although Babatunde Fashola, affectionately known as Baba, is 22 years old, he stands at less than 70cm (2ft 4in) tall. Baba lives with cerebral palsy, requires lifelong care, and is unable to speak or walk, relying on a tube for feeding.
Abandoned by his parents as a baby, Baba found hope ten years ago when he was welcomed into the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The facility’s founder, Nonye Nweke, shared that Baba currently weighs about 12kg (26lb) and is doing well under the care of dedicated staff who work tirelessly to support him and other children with severe disabilities.
Cerebral palsy is believed to be one of the most prevalent neurological disorders in Nigeria, with unofficial estimates suggesting around 700,000 cases, according to a medical professor from the University of Lagos. Many conditions arise from untreated neonatal jaundice, a common affliction caused by bilirubin build-up in newborns.
Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, a pediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, emphasized that over 60% of babies experience jaundice. In most cases, the condition is easily treatable with exposure to ultraviolet light, but in Nigeria, urgent medical resources are often unavailable. Consequently, the country ranks among those with the highest rates of neurological disorders linked to untreated jaundice.
Immediate intervention within the first ten days of a baby’s life is crucial, as untreated jaundice can lead to significant brain damage and lifelong disabilities. However, Nigeria faces a dire shortage of facilities for managing neurological disorders, with only three privately operated cerebral palsy centers serving a population of over 200 million people.
Ms. Nweke, a single mother, founded the Cerebral Palsy Centre after struggling to find support for her own daughter, Zimuzo. Now 17, Zimuzo has inspired Ms. Nweke to provide full-time support for others facing similar struggles. The center currently cares for twelve children, all of whom are immobile and unable to speak, and faces a long waiting list with over 100 applications for care.
Care at the center costs at least $1,000 per month, a daunting figure in a country where the national minimum wage is around $540 annually, causing immense pressure on Ms. Nweke and her team. She recalls the challenges of navigating stigma associated with congenital disabilities, as many families in Nigeria harbor misconceptions about their causes.
The recently launched Oscar Project in Lagos aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for neonatal jaundice. Funded by health initiatives, the project seeks to equip healthcare facilities with the necessary tools, train healthcare workers, and provide screenings for mothers and newborns.
Mr. Anderson, an advocate whose cerebral palsy was the result of untreated jaundice, is determined to prevent other children from experiencing similar outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of accessibility and education surrounding neonatal jaundice treatment and screening to protect vulnerable newborns across Nigeria.
As efforts continue to tackle the stigma and improve healthcare resources, advocates remain committed to ensuring that every child born with the risk of jaundice receives the necessary treatment to lead healthy lives.
