HANDLE CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY WITH CARE— MEDICAL EXPERT ADMONISHES

REPORTER: JOSHUA OBIALO

A consultant physician with the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Obioma Ekpe, has advised the public to handle people with cerebral palsy with care.

Dr. Ekpe spoke with Radio Nigeria in Aba, on the World cerebral palsy Day celebrated on October 6 every year.

He described cerebral palsy as the most common physical disability affecting the most vulnerable children and caused by abnormal brain development often before birth due to lack of enough oxygen to the brain.

Dr. Ekpe pointed out that there were over 350 million people connected in some way to cerebral palsy globally.

The medical expert noted the disorder could lead to weakness in one or both hands, epilepsy, inability to talk, intellectual disability and total inability to control movement such as walking.

Dr. Ekpe emphasized that despite their challenge, children with cerebral palsy were capable of learning and should be put in special schools designed to cater for their needs.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU