Children living with medical conditions such as autism should not be stigmatized, abandoned, or branded as witches but treated as special persons deserving love and care, health advocates in Cross River State have cautioned.
The call was made during the 6th edition of the Walkathon exercise organised by the Billionaires Health Club in Calabar to draw attention and support for children with autism and related neuro-disorders.
Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, who led the six-kilometre walk around major streets of Calabar, recalled that in the past, children with autism were abandoned in “evil forests” due to superstitious beliefs.
He noted that science has since proved that autism is a medical condition, not witchcraft, urging parents to give affected children greater attention.
Chairman of the club, Mr. William Archibong Jr, said the initiative, carried out in partnership with other health clubs, was designed to raise awareness and secure government and community support.
“We want people to appreciate these special children and for authorities to afford them the medical care they deserve,” he said.
Archibong Jr explained that the club adopts one health issue of public concern each year for advocacy.
He noted that since their first walk during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have drawn government and public attention to a range of health challenges.
He further appealed to the public to stop stigmatizing or demeaning children with autism, stressing that the condition is a global concern and not peculiar to Cross River State.
At the Millennium Park, where the walk ended, several health experts and professionals delivered health talks and offered advisory services to parents and caregivers on better ways to manage autism and other neuro-disorders.
