Care of the Child with Special Health Care Needs: A Report on 2 Nigerian Children with Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Care of the child with special health care needs is gradually becoming a significant public health issue. To identify what these special health care needs are in our environment, 2 children presenting with clinical features of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy were studied. This crippling neuromuscular disorder has no cure at the moment and death is common in the 2nd decade of life. Issues concerning health care identified in this study included poor growth and development of the children, over dependence on family members for care, limited resources available to these families and very scarce community support. Establishment of a special health care needs department, to provide coordinated and comprehensive services, is advocated in our health care delivery system.

Keywords: Special Health Care Needs, Muscular Dystrophy

Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 29-31