By Iyemah David
A Nigerian advocacy group, Ferdinand Effah Music Heritage Foundation has called for the inclusion of Regenerative Stem Cell medicine for Autism children in the NHIA social health insurance coverage and benefit package.
The group in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, signed by its president, Mr Stanley Effah appealed to government and Nigerians to remember children with autism who according to him have to push past many barriers to actualise themselves.
Effah who lamented that there were about 145 million autistic children in the world today added that Nigeria alone is home to over two million children living with the condition.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to commence dialogue with the management of NHIA on the chances and prospect for inclusion of Regenerative Stem Cell medicine for Autism children under the NHIA social health insurance coverage and benefit package.
The statement read; “Sidewise, there are about 145 million autistic children in the world today. Nigeria alone is home to over 2 million children living with the condition.
“These children and their families suffer tremendous stigmatization and discrimination from society which further compound the challenges they go through, especially with the high cost of treatment of autism which remains a trauma to families affected by the condition.
“To date, autism has no cure, despite successes recorded around some of the very expensive treatment approach (including, but not limited to music therapy).
“However, with a ground-breaking development such as which is proffered under Stem Cell clinical therapy, it is appearing more promising as hopes of children of families affected by the condition is beginning to see the much-awaited light at the end of the tunnel.
“Hence, this clinical alternative standard introduced under Regenerative Stem Cell (by specialist healthcare providers) is the area almost 90 per cent of families would so desire to explore, predominantly where there is room for affordability and financial access through social health insurance coverage, especially to the benefit of mostly the underprivileged.
“Hence, one of such specialized healthcare providers readily available in Nigeria for Regenerative Stem Cell treatment of children with Autism, is already in the process of completing a Partnership agreement with our Foundation’s Charity Project scheme on a 30-40 per cent discount prize rate, from a current 50 per cent prize slashed cut from the international cost prize as obtained overseas.
“We hope we can wholly exploit this valued opportunity as a non-profit charity organization in helping as many of the affected children with the condition of autism by also leveraging on the prospects and values contained within the mandatory policy of the NHIA 2022 ACT.
“Nevertheless, and in line with the theme of this year’s United Nations World Autism awareness and acceptance day which boarders on “inclusiveness,” we (as a pro autism group) strongly voiced for, by holding onto the belief that a co-insurance payment method would thrive successfully where AUTISM REGENERATIVE STEM CELL THERAPY is included in the NHIA social health insurance coverage and benefit package; especially with the coming on board of such alternative medicine now in the shores of Nigeria, readily accessible in delivering world acclaimed options not readily available. Although with better results, cost advantage, and access to same standard as obtained overseas.
“In view of the above, and coupled with being a fervent autism support group that is oblige with the task of redressing the challenging needs of autism children and families affected by the condition, we are using this medium to call for the inclusion of Regenerative Stem Cell clinical therapy as part of the benefit package for families with autistic children, under the 6 co-insurance social health payment type system of the NHIA program where early diagnosis and intervention can adequately be incorporated.
“This would be noteworthy to our vision as a pro autism redressing foundation that desires to see as many of our autistic children who are not physically disabled, but completely disabled out of society by virtue of stigmatization and non-inclusiveness, to revive hope of becoming part of success stories of the larger Nigerian society, especially in the context of having sound minds with healthy body system at doing what they can do best in a self-reliance pathway.
It is therefore our solemn endorsement that the management of NHIA may consider giving room to our call for inclusion, whereby creating a forum where representatives of Regenerative Stem Cell specialized healthcare providers with people and families affected by the condition of autism in Nigeria can begin to dialogue with the management of NHIA on the chances and prospect for inclusion of Regenerative Stem Cell medicine for Autism children under the NHIA social health insurance coverage and benefit package.
“Finally, we are also using this medium as an opportunity (through this call) to extend our hands of fellowship to several more concerned individuals, families, groups, and affiliate institutions; while hoping we can all stay focused, committed and readily available as part of a continues process at ensuring the actualization of this all-important call.
