20 mln children in India physically handicapped: Dr Johari

Mumbai, Nov 18 (UNI) An estimated 20 million children in the country are physically handicapped, acording to Dr Ashok Johari, a well-known Orthopaedic surgeon.

To fight the problem of physical handicap in children, Dr Ashok Johari's ''Child Foundation'' is conducting a eight-day ''Free Children's Orthopaedic Corrective Surgery Camp''.

It is an initiative spearheaded by Dr Johari (Hon Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Grant Medical College and JJ Hospital) and supported by other charitable institutions. It is meant for underprivileged and less fortunate children suffering from birth defects, spastic problems, unequal size of limbs, polio, paralysis, finger defects etc.

Talking to reporters here yesterday, Dr Johari said the camp will see a participation of over 45 doctors and surgeons from across the country.

It is expected that 500 to 600 patients will be screened and more than 200 surgeries will be undertaken on November 24 and November 25 as a part of the camp, he added.

UNI