Improving care for children with Down's syndrome and their parents

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Extract from the article: As part of the 5th World Down's Syndrome Day, the Association Mères Amis des Enfants Trisomiques (AMAETRI) organised an awareness-raising and care day for Down's syndrome children and their parents at the CHU Campus in Lomé on 21 March 2025. The aim

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As part of the 5th World Down's Syndrome Day, the Association Mères Amis des Enfants Trisomiques (AMAETRI) organised an awareness-raising and care day for Down's syndrome children and their parents at the CHU Campus in Lomé on 21 March 2025. The aim was to provide information about Down's Syndrome, combat prejudice and offer appropriate support to families affected by the condition. The theme chosen for this year's event, ‘Loving children with Down's Syndrome’, highlighted the need for a more inclusive and loving society.

AMAETRI has chosen to focus its efforts on direct action and local awareness-raising. ‘We hope to provide multidisciplinary care and follow-up for these children, but we will need all kinds of support. We are calling for a dedicated centre in Agoè-Nyivé and are inviting parents to join us in helping their children to flourish. It's important to change the way people look at Down's syndrome’, said Tatchein Agbassi, President of AMAETRI. The Down's syndrome children were given food and a free medical consultation. There were 5 consultation posts in an inclusive spirit. On this occasion, 62 children were consulted. Some were diagnosed with heart disease. Others suffering from language delay were transferred to the speech therapist. Some children with eye problems were seen by an ophthalmologist.

According to international figures, trisomy affects 27,000 newborn babies every year.  This is an opportunity to raise public awareness of this disease and to lobby decision-makers to improve care for children suffering from this genetic anomaly of the 21st pair of chromosomes.

‘I've had the honour of meeting some exceptional children who love me unconditionally and are happy to give love.Every day they teach us the value of acceptance, tolerance and empathy.  Together, we must continue to make our voices heard because every child with Down's syndrome deserves to be loved, accepted and celebrated for who they are.Their presence in our lives reminds us that difference is strength and that love knows no boundaries’, says Kristel Dicoh, AMAETRI's godmothern.

Psychological support for parents

Psychological support for the children's family and friends. The aim is to help parents come to terms with the disease.According to Kodzo Jude Guede, clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, ‘parents often have resistance linked to beliefs such as witchcraft, or to a problem linked to a woman who doesn't have good ovaries to be able to produce good children. As a result, these parents feel guilty and ashamed of themselves and their children.We work to help them accept the disease.

The children have a variety of symptoms, and our role is to help them integrate. We also offer personalised support to help each individual to evolve.

This support consists of strengthening parents, changing their outlook and giving them the tools they need to better support their children with Down's syndrome.

Esther KOLANI