Doctors participating in a CME program in Madurai on Sunday. , Photo Credit: G.Murthy
Doctors at the Continuing Medical Education (CME) program held here on Sunday said that a doctor’s job does not end with performing spinal surgeries, but continues with the rehabilitation of patients.
The CME on ‘Comprehensive Care of Spinal Trauma’ was organized jointly by Indian Orthopedic Association (IOA), Tamil Nadu Orthopedic Association (TNOA), Madurai Orthopedic Society and Devdas Hospital.
TNOA President Singaravdivelu said that more than 150 postgraduate students and orthopedic surgeons from across the country participated.
Chairman, Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Spine Surgery, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, S. Speaking to reporters, Rajasekhar said that at least 60% of patients who recover from spinal cord injuries suffer from permanent disability. They become totally dependent from the moment they meet with an accident which mostly happens on the roads.
“Their daily activities, from urinating to using their hands, become an extremely difficult task, and 80% of spinal cord injury victims in India fall under the age group of 25 and 45. They become a burden to the families and before they die the families become bankrupt,” said Dr Devdas. He said that people from the underprivileged section of the society have been affected the most as it was a long process to get free wheelchairs from the district administration.
Dr. Rajasekhar said that the real challenge is to bring the patients back to the mainstream by converting them into earning members of the family. “Organised rehabilitation services are poor even in big cities. Rehabilitation is not only physiotherapy, but also providing mental support to prevent further complications along with better urological and sexual functions, which needs to be inculcated in young surgeons so that they can provide comprehensive care.
IOA president-elect Ram Chadha said that while work-from-home options are becoming popular, neurologically challenged patients in wheelchairs should be included in the workforce.
Doctors said the state government’s efforts to make public buildings, roads, transport and infrastructure disabled-friendly is the need of the hour.
Organizing Chairman of CME Satish Devdas and others were present.