A Nigerian Mother's Crusade Against Jaundice-Induced Cerebral Palsy**

Nonye Nweke, founder of a Cerebral Palsy Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, battles the cultural stigma and lack of medical resources surrounding neonatal jaundice, aiming to prevent lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy caused by untreated conditions in newborns.**

In Nigeria, a persistent struggle against the debilitating effects of neonatal jaundice is gaining attention thanks to the passionate efforts of a single mother, Nonye Nweke. Her son, Babatunde Fashola, affectionately known as Baba, is a 22-year-old living with cerebral palsy, a condition often rooted in untreated neonatal jaundice. Abandoned by his parents as a baby, Baba found refuge at the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Lagos, which Nweke founded after her daughter Zimuzo was diagnosed with the same condition years ago.

Cerebral palsy is believed to be one of the most prevalent neurological disorders in Nigeria, where approximately 700,000 people are affected, according to estimates from a medical professor in Lagos. A significant number of these cases are attributed to neonatal jaundice, a common condition impacting over 60% of newborns due to bilirubin buildup in the bloodstream. While most infants recover quickly, inadequate access to timely phototherapy in Nigeria has led to long-term neurological damage for many.

Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, a specialist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, stresses that treatment within the first ten days of life is crucial; failure to do so can lead to severe cerebral palsy. Sadly, the availability of such treatment in Nigeria is alarmingly low, with only three privately-run cerebral palsy facilities catering to a population of over 200 million.

Nweke’s journey began in sorrow. After adopting her daughter Zimuzo from an orphanage & realizing the challenges ahead, she committed herself to research treatments and support systems. “She’s my life,” Nweke asserts, proudly revealing that Zimuzo has defied predictions of not surviving past two years and is now 17.

Despite their precarious circumstances, the center cares for twelve children, all of whom require intensive care and feeding assistance, funded solely through donations. The waiting list is extensive, with over 100 applications pending. “It’s overwhelming,” Nweke admits, acknowledging the financial burdens and emotional isolation that come with caring for children with disabilities.

The stigma surrounding congenital disorders in Nigeria has further complicated the situation, as many families still hold beliefs that link such conditions to witchcraft. Consequently, affected children are often abandoned or hidden away. Nweke is determined to change the narrative, and her efforts align with the recently established Oscar Project, aimed at combating neonatal jaundice in Nigeria. By equipping health facilities with screening and treatment equipment and training healthcare workers, the project promises to make significant strides in maternal and infant health.

With international collaboration and robust local initiatives, the hope is to reduce the number of children affected by conditions preventable through prompt action. Despite the enormity of the challenge, advocates like Nweke and Oscar Anderson—the project's namesake—remain steadfast, striving for a future where every infant has the chance to thrive without the shadow of untreated neonatal jaundice.