Dr. Oluwasola Oke, a Consultant Paediatric-Neurologist at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, has called for the inclusion of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into National Healthcare Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Oke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Tuesday in Ilorin that the cost of managing the condition is astronomical.
According to him, a sachet of 10 tablets costs N50,000 and almost unaccessible for the ordinary Nigerians.
He added that apart from the high cost of management, the drug is also scarce and can only be found in places such as Lagos or outside the country.
Oke explained that government can subsidize these drugs for the citizens through the NHIS.
He described ADHD as one of the commonest neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention among children.
“These inattention includes having short attention span, difficulty keeping on task or staying organized, hyperactivity, restless, or talking excessively.
According to him, Nigeria carries the burden of ADHD in children at about 4.6 to 8.7 percent and Africa is at 5.4 to 8.7 percent, while globally it is at 5 to 10 percent.
The expert who also teaches at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, of OAU pointed out that many people still misunderstand ADHD and assume the affected children are mentally unstable, stubborn or difficult.
“ADHD behaviours frequently occur across multiple situations such as school, home and at work,” he said.
The Neurologist pointed out that people should desist from labelling children with ADHD as stubborn, spoilt, difficult or abnormal.
The expert further said some people erroneously believe the children lack home training or are spiritually attacked, adding that the condition is not a curse or spiritual punishment.
Oke warns that “beating such a child or taking them for endless deliverance will not cast it out. Instead of blaming spirits, the affected child needs to see a specialist”.
Similarly he added that children with ADHD need the right learning method, supportive environment and patience, while saying that some of them can be intelligent and excel in music, art or mathematics.
The Paediatric Neurologist appealed to government and caregivers to address challenges in procuring drugs and management of children with ADHD.
He also warned against stigmatizing the children and enjoined people to bring their ward to specialists who can manage the condition through Behavioural therapy and use of drugs.
Oke therefore appealed to people to show love and understanding to these children, who can be managed to be productive in life.