Expert stresses need for creating awareness on cerebral palsy

Hyderabad, Nov 14 (UNI) Professor and Head of the Neurosurgery department in the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences A K Purohit today stressed the need for creating awareness among the people on cerebral palsy.

Addressing a press conference here, he said early detection, intervention and management would reduce disability and suffering of cerebral palsy.

Despite increasing of cerebral palsy, not much attention was being paid to such problem, he said, adding nearly 40 lakh children were reportedly suffering from cerebral palsy in India, of which Andhra Pradesh accounted for 1.5 lakh kids.

He said the number of kids suffering with the disease in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad was about 15,000. Approximately 200 kids were born every day with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy affects the brain and depending on the part of the brain that is affected, a kid might not be able to walk, talk, eat or play the way most kids do, he said.

Dr Purohit said NIMS had conducted 4,000 surgeries on kids suffering with the disease in the last 20 years. There were other methods for reducing celebral palsy like regular exercises and taking medicines.

He released his book 'Cerebral Palsy Gyan Kosh' on the occasion of Children's Day to create an awareness among the masses about the disease.

The book contained more than 2,000 illustrations to help families having children with cerebral palsy and organisations catering to the needs of these children and was useful to professionals like pediatricians, orthopaedicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiotherapists and others.

UNI BR VA SW AS1520