Falana, NGO advocate end to Down’s syndrome discrimination

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria has called for an end to the marginalisation of individuals with Down’s syndrome.

The call was made during an event to mark the 2025 World Down’s Syndrome Day, themed: Improving Support Systems – “Access to Healthcare” at the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area, Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Funmi Falana, SAN, expressed concerns for persons with Down’s syndrome, saying there should be no discrimination against them.

Falana added that Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution provides that no one should be discriminated against on the basis of physical disability, place of birth, or sex.

She said, “Whatever policy, privilege, or right that may accrue to those who aren’t vulnerable should also be made accessible to those who are vulnerable. Persons with Down’s syndrome need a lot of support.

“The support begins by getting people to understand that these individuals are as human as everyone else and need the support of the entire populace. Because of what nature has dealt them, there is a need for society to give more than to those who are less vulnerable.”

Also speaking, the National Administrator, Nike Denis, representing the National President of DFSN, Rose Modi, said inclusivity was important for persons with Down’s syndrome.

Denis said, “We are here today to rally support for them, especially from the government. When they see persons with this health issue, they look in shock and feel pity. We don’t want them to look at people with disabilities with pity.

“They have rights like everyone else. We want them to be empowered; they can work. We want to empower them in all sectors, including education. We want to see them in places of employment, being engaged. Particularly, persons with intellectual disorders, like those with Down Syndrome, are being marginalised.

“One will see people in wheelchairs, blind, and others working, but one hardly sees people with intellectual disorders working because they need support. People feel like they are not smart or can’t cope. We are here to say they are wrong because everyone deserves inclusivity.”

A Chief Consultant at Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Dr Olufunmi Akinola, said children with down syndrome should be taken care of at the hospital because the issues were observed early on.

Akinola noted, “Children with Down syndrome are sociable, kind, and nice, and we should support them in that. When they are babies, they should be properly channeled.”