Spinal cord injury patients inaugurate northern branch

Spinal cord injury patients have inaugurated northern branch of the spinal cord society aimed at assisting and helping members to ease their suffering as records have shown that about seventy percent of them are from poor families.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the branch, held at Mallam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), acting chairman of the group, Abdul’aziz Ibrahim, said persons with spinal code injury were in a difficult situation which needed special consideration from all sectors and also needed  assistance as most of the victims cannot afford to pay the exorbitant medical treatment expenses.

Ibrahim, who is the chairman of the Sokoto State branch of the association, said that the society, if actualized, would be up and doing in bringing succor to their members through, legislation, enlightenment and advocacy, among others

“You would not understand our condition unless if you are also suffering from the same ailment. This is an ailment that makes a person’s life miserable and managing expenses are exorbitant. Our records have shown that about 70 percent of the patients are from poor family who cannot afford the medical expenses because MRI scanning alone is between N65, 000 to N75,000. Surgery is about N1.5 million

“So these factors, among others, are what prompted us to form a society to help ourselves,” Ibrahim said.

In his remarks, the representative of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Nastura Shariff pledged to sponsor registration of the association with the Corporate Affairs Commission, adding that his group would also help the society to take off.