CPSK boasts of provision of quality and therapy and rehabilitation services to persons afflicted by cerebral palsy. Photo/courtesy
The high cost of drugs used to control cerebral palsy coupled with lack of facilities have been identified as some of the major challenges facing patients suffering from the disease.
Parents whose minors are suffering from the disease are now calling on the national government to zero-rate drugs and equipments used to support the ailing minors.
This emerged during a sensitization walk in Naivasha town by parents whose children suffer from the rare condition that affects the brain after birth.
During the walk, it emerged that cases of cerebral palsy in Naivasha were on the decline due to safe birth and awareness.
According to the occupational therapy officer at the Naivasha sub-county hospital Mwangi Mahinda, the cost of some of the drugs and special wheel chairs is very high.
“In the last one year we have received around 40 special wheel chair with one going for Sh30,000 and many of the families cannot afford this,” he said.
Despite the challenge, Mahinda noted that safe motherhood had seen a sharp drop in cases of the condition in and around Naivasha.
“Majority of the cases occur during child birth but with the introduction of free maternity we have seen the number of reported cases drop though there is need for more,” he said.
The chairperson, Naivasha Cerebral Palsy Support group, Beatrice Mwangi, said they decided to go to the street to create awareness and inform the world that the condition is not a curse.
“The high cost of drugs used in dealing with this condition is a major concern and we are calling on parents with children who suffer this condition to stop hiding them,” she said.
Esther Wanjiku, whose three children suffer from the disease, told of her woes adding that feeding, clothing and even housing them is a major challenge.
She called on well-wishers to come to her rescue mainly in terms of housing so that she could venture out and seek food and cash to support them.
Lilian Mibei, a victim, called on the government to consider assisting those affected through a cash transfer program.