Executive Director of Care and Development Centre (CADEC), Rhoda Omorodion, has called on citizens to take action to defeat Meningitis.
In a statement to Theportcitynews, she disclosed that Meningitis is a medical emergency that occurs when there’s an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
It is often mistaken for other diseases like malaria, the flu, or even Covid-19, but it can kill someone in hours.
She stated that being in Nigeria, we’re in a region where progress on defeating meningitis continues to lag behind than that of other preventable diseases.
“Meningitis can strike anyone, babies, young adults (16-23), older people and the immuno-compromised being at particular risk. For children under 5 years old, meningitis and neonatal sepsis combined are the 2nd leading infectious cause of death worldwide.
” A sudden death, with no opportunity to say goodbye, has an emotionally devastating impact on entire communities. Those who survive face serious after effects that may include: brain injury, hearing loss, depression, or limb loss, among others.” She said.
She further disclosed that the WHO has set up an initiative, the Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, as it lays out what should be done towards achieving a world free from meningitis.
She stressed on the need to focus on improving support and aftercare in Nigeria, adding that disease surveillance allow countries to be better prepared to challenge threats to national and global health.
“Without early recognition, meningitis can kill and so prompt and effective diagnosis and treatment is important,People affected often don’t have access to support mechanisms and so cannot contribute fully to society,Few people are aware of meningitis and its signs and symptoms which is dangerous as meningitis can be overcome if treated rapidly.
“People who have contracted the disease continue to be vital parts of our communities but we fail them and their families when there are inadequate support mechanisms available and when we allow more outbreaks of this preventable disease to occur.
“People affected often have to focus on fundraising for essentials instead of focusing on their recovery, with a French study showing that the cost of caring for meningitis survivors with a severe disability over their lifetime can cost 3.4-4.6 million Euros.” We all have a role to play if we are to #DefeatMeningitis.
Progress against meningitis lags behind other diseases and every year over two million more people are directly affected. The Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, lays out what we need to do to work towards a world free from meningitis. With the Road Map’s official endorsement by member states during the World Health Assembly (12th November 2020), now is the time we all need to commit to Take Action #DefeatMeningitis. Will you?”
She added that in commemoration with World Meningitis Day, it is pertinent that we all take action by improving global recognition through sharing information and personal stories to raise awareness of the risk, symptoms and consequences of meningitis and sepsis.
