PORT — GENTIL, 10 April 2026 (AGP) – In the Ogooué-Maritime province of western Gabon, the care for autistic children is impeded by a lack of coordination among various stakeholders, such as NGOs, associations, and medical institutions. Dr. Josiane Ngo’o Nze, head of the pediatric department at the CHR de Ntchengué, pointed this out during the delayed observance of World Autism Awareness Day. Despite numerous efforts, the absence of structured collaboration is hindering the establishment of reliable statistics and reducing the effectiveness of ongoing actions.
Dr. Ngo’o Nze expressed her concern about the isolation of initiatives, emphasizing the need for a combined effort to enhance the overall care for autistic children. She also mentioned administrative hurdles, including the lack of birth certificates for some children, which complicates their registration with the CNAMGS and their access to social assistance. Although recognized as vulnerable, these children can only benefit from free healthcare and an annual solidarity allowance if they are registered.
In response, the CHR de Ntchengué plans to take a leading role by fostering dialogue between health professionals and social actors. The aim is to establish a sustainable collaborative framework to improve the monitoring of autistic children and offer more effective support to their families, who often suffer from psychological and social vulnerabilities.
Source: Agpgabon
Original author: Redaction
