In the streets of Abuja, amidst the vibrant energy and relentless hum of the capital city, a quieter yet profound struggle unfolds. Nigerians grappling with brain health issues, a growing concern due in part to the looming shadow of climate change, fight an uphill battle for diagnosis, treatment and craving public understanding of their predicament.
By Abujah Racheal
For 29 years, Ms Sarah Aso, a young teacher in Damangaza community, Lokogoma District, FCT, the once-familiar classroom now feels daunting.
Memory lapses and tremors disrupt her lessons, leaving students confused and her future uncertain. Doctors offer tentative diagnoses, but the cause remains a mystery.
A whisper of “environmental factors” hangs heavy in the air, a chilling reminder of the ever-increasing heat waves and unpredictable rainfall patterns plaguing Nigeria.
Retired Major.-Gen. Anthony Ajemba, a consultant physician and cardiologist with Defense Medical Center Abuja, explained that brain health encompasses the well-being and optimal functioning of the brain, including cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and neurological resilience.
Ajemba said that factors influencing brain health include lifestyle choices such as exercise and nutrition, mental stimulation through activities like learning new skills, were environmental factors.
Among others, he said were the overall importance of maintaining brain health for cognitive function, emotional well-being, longevity, productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.
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According to the Journal of Neurology and Neurophysiology, neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. There are more than 600 diseases of the nervous system, such as brain tumours, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke, as well as less familiar ones like frontotemporal dementia.
Dr Rotimi Adebayo, a neurologist, paints a grim picture: “We are seeing a rise in unexplained neurological cases.
“Everything from Parkinson’s to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. This condition leads to the loss of muscle control, affecting voluntary movement and eventually leading to paralysis, and the younger the patient, the more worried we get.”
Adebayo noted the frustration stemming from the lack of concrete data on the link between climate change and brain health issues in Nigeria. “We suspect a connection, especially with heavy metal toxins released by extreme weather events, but without proper research, we are flying blind,” he said.
This lack of awareness extends beyond the medical community. Many Nigerians attribute brain health issues to spiritual causes, leading to stigma and isolation for patients.
For families like Mrs Bukola Adedeji’s, caring for a loved one with dementia presents a unique challenge.
“People keep saying it is witchcraft, but I see the fear in my husband’s eyes, the confusion. He deserves better,” Adedeji said.
According to a report by University College, London says climate change poses a significant threat to individuals with brain conditions.
Extreme temperatures, poor sleep due to warmer nights, and adverse weather events can worsen neurological and psychiatric disorders, leading to increased hospitalisation and mortality, says a neuroscience news report.
Ms Binta Abaku, a climate scientist and environmentalist with research interest in brain health, stressed the urgency of understanding these impacts in the Nigerian context.
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“We need Nigerian data. We cannot rely on studies from other countries. Our people, our environment, deserve a definitive answer,” she said.
Because of these challenges, there is a growing call among experts for policy reforms.
Brain health advocates stress the need for improved healthcare infrastructure and increased funding for research into the environmental factors contributing to neurological disorders.
Speaking brain rehabilitation after an injury Dr Benneth Ikem Ilechukwu said it plays a crucial role in aiding recovery and optimising functional abilities following a brain injury.
Ilechukwu explains that this includes physical therapy to improve mobility, occupational therapy to regain daily living skills, speech and language therapy.
He said such treatment would address communication difficulties, cognitive rehabilitation to enhance cognitive functions, and psychological therapy to manage emotional and behavioural issues.
Mrs Joy Kemakolam, a brain tumor survivor, highlights that many individuals, particularly in rural areas, experience brain disorders but mistake them for malaria due to a lack of awareness.
Recounting her experience, 44 year-old Kemakolam revealed that she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2019 after mistaking some bouts of severe headaches for malaria and typhoid.
“As a classroom teacher, it was challenging to gather funds for the operation. Fortunately, with the assistance of family members and schoolmates, who collectively raised two million naira, I was able to undergo the necessary surgeries.
“It was incredibly difficult to raise such a large sum, particularly coming from a disadvantaged background. I believe the federal government should intervene to assist individuals with similar conditions. Those afflicted should receive financial aid to cover their medical expenses”, she said.
Another survivor, Ms Judith Akin-Moses, 26, recounted her journey with brain tumour, which began at the age of six when she was in primary school in Lagos state.
In spite of undergoing multiple surgeries domestically and abroad, she continues to undergo treatments and relies on medication, as symptoms occasionally resurface.
Advocating increased awareness, Akin-Moses, underlined the importance of educating teachers in schools about the dangers of dismissing every headache as common malaria.
Mrs Patricia Okoro, mother of an 11 year-old brain injury survivor, revealed the financial strain as her family has endured her son’s accident three years ago.
Okoro appealed for assistance from the government and large corporations to aid individuals coping with brain tumours and injuries.
In response to these challenges, grassroots support groups have emerged.
Mr Chika Okwuolisa, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brain and Spine Foundation Africa, said the foundation provides not only emotional support but also advocates better healthcare services and awareness campaigns to address stigma.
“By working together, we can make a significant impact in improving brain health outcomes and quality of life across the continent”, Okwuolisa said.
Nigeria faces significant environmental challenges including oil pollution in the Niger Delta, deforestation, urban air pollution, water scarcity, inadequate waste management, and vulnerability to climate change impacts.
Addressing these issues requires comprehensive strategies in policy, infrastructure development, and sustainable practices to ensure environmental sustainability and resilience.
As the stories of Aso, Adedeji, and others illustrate, the fight against brain health issues is a fight for answers, for better healthcare, and for a future where environmental threats do not jeopardize well-being.
Their voices resonate as a call to action for policymakers, researchers, and communities to prioritize funding, research, and support for those affected by these often overlooked challenges.
NANFeatures
