Physician advocates policies for effective migraine management in Nigeria

A Consultant Family Physician at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Mashak Joseph Gusen, has advocated for the immediate establishment of policies that would help in addressing migraine management in Taraba State and Nigeria at large.

Gusen who made the call during the weekend in Jalingo, during a town hall meeting commemorating the World Migraine Day, stressed the necessity of collective collaboration to create a migraine friendly environment and implement supportive policies.

Also advocating for health insurance initiative for children spread across the state and the country, he highlighted
the widespread and debilitating impact of migraines in Taraba and the country.

Emphasizing the importance of awareness programs to combat the misunderstanding surrounding migraines, he noted that many people suffer unnecessarily due to a lack of access to necessary support and information for effective self management of the condition.

Also speaking, the President, World Hepatitis Alliance, Dr Danjuma Adda, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Initiative and Development, CFID, said the Centre is targeting 15,000 secondary school students, 4,500 educators, 7,000 parents, and 23,000 community members, to enhance understanding of migraine disease.

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The move, which according to him is geared towards improving access to diagnosis and self-care for diagnosed patients, have left the Centre with the sole option of creating 20 migraine support clubs in schools and 15 social networks/support groups in workplaces and communities.

“The Centre will Identify and train 80 students, 40 educators, and 30 community members as migraine champions and advocates,” he added.

He reiterated the commitment of the Centre to collaborate with the implementing partners to address migraine across the state, as well as plans to adapt and create media toolkits in English and local languages to raise awareness and increase access to diagnosis.

“Despite migraines’ significant impact on individuals’ quality of life, they remain widely misunderstood and stigmatized,” Adda lamented.

Like Gusen, Adda also stressed on the need to enhance public understanding, promote early diagnosis, and improve access to effective treatments and support services for those affected by migraines.