Disease little known in Mali, but autism appears to be a real public health problem. Faced with its consequences, particularly on children’s rights, it is more urgent than ever for a synergy of actions to put an end to the stigmatization of patients who are very generally left in the care of their parents alone.
According to statistics, 1/100 children in the world have autism. If this rate appears low, it is as much a questioner if we stick to the harmful consequences of this disease on autistic children who have difficulty even in accessing education in view of their strange behavior.
Faced with the poor perception that we have of these patients, April is celebrated throughout the world as a month dedicated to autism awareness under the theme “Let’s mobilize together to build a society that respects the strengths and challenges of each “. Like the whole world, the Autism Mali Association chaired by Mrs. Aïssata Ouattara, did not remain on the sidelines of this celebration.
Last weekend at the National Museum, she organized a day of advocacy and awareness in favor of autism for a positive change with regard to these patients. It was in the presence of the Minister of National Education, the Director General of CANAM and autistic parents and children.
According to the explanations of the president who left no one indifferent in the room, autism is a non-contagious disorder but difficult to cure. If this disease affects more boys than girls, it is characterized by difficulties in communicating, pronouncing words and understanding certain expressions.
“They are excluded from schools because of their strange behavior, isolated and left to the care of parents, especially the mother,” she lamented. In her speech, she spoke of the urgent need for a change in behavior towards autistic people. And to argue that this requires awareness. History of accepting autistic people who are seen differently by society.
Although autism silently isolates the sick, the president of the association deplored the lack of care structure, the lack of specialists for the treatment of the disease, the non-coverage of drugs by Health Insurance Compulsory(AMO). This is why she asked for the involvement of the authorities who must take these concerns into account.
The attentive ear of the Minister of National Education gave hope. According to her, autism is a cross-cutting problem that concerns the state, society and parents. “Our commitment to the education of these children will not be lacking,” she promised. And to ensure that the whole Government will take all the measures for the management of autism in Mali.
Massassi
Source : Mali24.Infos
