Tarela Aghanti’s OIFN Call For Government Support For Brittle Bone Sufferers In Nigeria

…Holds Brittle Bone Conference To Call Attention To OI And Create Awareness About The Plight Of OI Patients In Nigeria

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Nigeria (OIFN) in collaboration with National Youth Council of Nigeria, Europe Chapter, have concluded all arrangements to hold its 2023 Brittle Bone Conference. The Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) conference is schedule to hold on Friday, 13^th October, 2023 at the JF Adeajiyi Auditorium, University of Lagos, (Unilag) Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria. Time is 10AM in the morning up until 4pm in the evening.

According to the host and founder of OIFN, Tarela Aghanti and the UK Ambassador of National Youth Council of Nigeria, the theme of the Brittle Bone Conference 2023 is, ‘Living with Brittle Bone (Osteogenesis Imperfecta).

Aghanti, revealed that this year’s conference would focus on the issues of; Mental Health, Importance of Vitamin D to OI patients and Pains. Others topical conversations she says would include Bisphosphonate Drug and Corrective surgery. The Brittle Bone advocate however appeal to corporate Nigeria, philanthropists and individual to see the need to financially support the work of the foundation in Nigeria.

She stated further that before the advent of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Nigeria (OIFN), there has there has been no support for sufferers and their families. “Sufferers from this rare condition have been left to languish in pain, anxiety, and trauma, and even death. However, since the inception of OIFN, the Charity has transformed the narrative of sufferers by giving them hope and brought changes through giving them advice, mobility equipment and six-monthly medication to help strengthen their bones”

OIFN founder who is herself a mother of a brittle bone patient, maintains that: “Awareness in Nigeria is well needed to help disabuse the minds of people that this condition is associated with witchcraft, evil spirit leading to children and family being neglected and abandoned, It is very important to create awareness for early intervention in affected children so they can start treatment early to help children and families leave life and be accepted by their wider families and the society.

The charity wants a country where the needs of PEOPLE living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease) in Nigeria are understood, respected, and affected people to fully meet their potentials”

The event which is being co hosted by Collins Idahosa, Governor, National youth council of Nigeria, Europe branch, would amongst other things seek to call government attention to the plight of brittle bone patients and include OI intervention in the nation’s national health intervention policy; and make available and affordable the much-needed medications for strengthening bone and improve Bone density and reduces the incidence of the spine and non-spine fractures..

OI Conference 2023, will also offer an opportunity to present and hear about the latest in surgical treatment for OI, The Importance of Vitamin D intake in patients’ treatment methods for pain. The program will also include assessment, and management of physical and psychological challenges due to pain in OI and other rare bone diseases.

The conference main speaker is Dr Adolfredo Santana, an OI Specialist and Surgeon from Caracas, Venezuela. And it is open to those interested in the central focus of the event which includes;

Health care professionals and researchers with interest in Ol, Health care professionals and researchers with an interest in pain, orthopedic surgery and therapy. The OI, rare bone community, family members, staff, and volunteers, including Professionals with an interest in other rare bone conditions and disability.