For the first time ever in the history of Jharkhand, Indian Medical Association (IMA) doctors have detected about 250 cases of cerebral palsy, a disease found in children due to lack of oxygen during or after birth causing disability in physical development.
A free check up camp in this regard was organised on Sunday set up exclusively for this disease detection at the state capital. Explaining details, Convenor of this camp Dr Arun Shukla said, “Most of the detected patients are below the age of 15 years from various districts of the State. The reported cases are more from Palamau and Ranchi districts.”
For those Below Poverty line (BPl) children’s free treatment in this list, IMA doctors have decided to approach the State Government. “Since, there has been no survey in this context we would presently compile the data of all the suffering children. After scrutiny of the same, the shortlisted BPl patients data will be given to the State government, probably by the end of this month,” said IMA Jharkhand chapter secretary Dr Shekhar Choudhuri.
Guided by six reputed arthroplasty (surgical repair of joint) and orthopaedic (concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system) surgeons from Bangalore’s private hospital named Sparsh, the camp witnessed around 350 to 400 patients accompanied by their parents.
Parents here expressed their gratitude to these doctors. They especially mentioned Dr Jayanth S Sampath, a well known bone specialist who was surrounded by many local doctors willing to know latest methods of treating this disease.
On the basis of the seriousness of disease, children were prescribed lifelong medication through local neurologists. Whereas, parents of some chronic ones, were suggested to boldly accept the fact that their child can never be cured from this disease. “It is better to accept this harsh reality as soon as possible because you will have to take care of your child forever. The vice-versa of this feeling can rarely be expected,” Sparsh hospital’s Dr Rewat laxman was noticed speaking these words to a mother.
The other part of the camp was awareness on link Health Services card which assures certain discount in health services like nursing, diagnostic and chemist facilities.
The card at a payment of `200 (per year) can be made at reputed city hospitals namely Devkamal, Debuka, Hill View, Rani Children’s, APPOlO, Orchid, Vasan Eye Care hospitals. It is also accessible from diagnostic and chemist stores including Pulse diagnostic centre and Balaji medicals. This concept is quite new in India and was started in Ranchi early this year,” said Hriday P lakshman,
Director of The link.