Lagos Declares Support For Persons With Deaf-Blind Conditions

Luqmon Balogun, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has joined the rest of the world to declare the third Saturday in September of every year as a day for persons with the Usher Syndrome; a genetic disorder that causes blindness and deafness.

The State through the Office for Disability Affairs said that the declaration forms part of policy of inclusion of the state government towards ensuring that no one is left behind, including persons with disabilities.

Speaking during a meeting with some persons with Usher Syndrome, at the agency’s office in Lagos, General Manager Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal said that the rare genetic disorder which currently has no known cure is preventable and it affects the three sensory organs of sights, hearing and balance.

Oyetunde-Lawal explained that “the state government has always been practical concerning issues relating to people with disabilities, and the THEMES PLUS developmental agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is all inclusive in this regard.”

She said; “Millions of people are affected by this genetic disorder worldwide, with the larger incidence occurring in the developing nations of Africa and Asia as a result of mass ignorance and a severe lack of genetic testing and counseling facilities and as mass ignorance and inadequate technical know-how and necessary equipment has resulted in a noticeable rise in the incidence of the condition in the regions of Africa and Asia, the need becomes important to ensure prevention of the syndrome which has adverse effect on the health, academic and general wellbeing of the affected individuals.”

“The Usher Syndrome community has advocated for the third Saturday in September every year as an international day on which all nations and states can join efforts to create awareness about the condition with the aim of halting its advent and possibly making it history, thereby reducing the future incidence of deafblindness worldwide.

“As the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, for and on behalf of the Office hereby proclaim the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs recognition of and full support for the Global Usher Syndrome Awareness Day 2024 Saturday 21st September 2024, and the worldwide efforts to heighten public awareness about the condition with the aim of reducing its incidence and possibly making it history. We wish to indicate our recognition of and full support for this annual observance going forward,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

She enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to avail themselves of the available knowledge of Usher Syndrome and join hands to safeguard the health and general wellbeing of generations yet unborn. She also urged them to work for the academic, health and allround inclusion of affected citizens with Deaf-blindness in the society.

Significant landmark

The Executive Director, Lion Heart Foundation, Mr. Segun Okelola commended the LASODA and the State government as the first state to recognise the Ushers Syndrome. He noted that the declaration is a significant landmark in the fight against the onslaught of the deaf and blind condition

Okelola said with “the declaration and support of the State Government through LASODA, more people will get to know about the condition and people with the condition will be given the full impetus to achieve their human potential for self actualisation without let or hindrance.”

Mercy Chukwudiebere