Health experts representing government, multilateral and bilateral organisations, civil society, youth and the private sector will meet in Nigeria’s former capital, Lagos, next week to address the unique needs of children in the country living with Cerebral Palsy.

Scheduled to hold from April 11-12, the meeting is expected to come up with an action plan to strengthen the system of health care delivery for such special children and adolescents in the country.

Some of those expected at the Roundtable include Prof. I. J. Ihenacho, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jos; Dr. Saad Tajudeen, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kaduna Polytechnic; Mrs. Josephine Nwabueze, Department of Special Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Dr. Ikani Egaga, Department of Special Education, University of Calabar; Mrs. Olasimbo Oyekoya, Department of Physiotherapy, Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos; Mrs Grace A Ademola-Sokoya, Department of Speech Pathology, Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos; and Mr Akinola Olabisi, Centre for Learning Disabilities and Audiology, Abuja.

In a statement released in Lagos, the founder of Benola: A cerebral Palsy Initiative, AVM Femi Gbadebo (rtd.), said the organisation is facilitating the “Roundtable” to help improve the lot of special children and their families.

“We want to identify those geographical areas with limited medical resources and perceived unmet needs. Thereafter, we plan to use the information to provide guidance for new service programmes and also establish an agenda for action,” he said.

•Photo: Programme initiator, AVM Femi Gbadebo (rtd.)