Need for regional spinal cord injury centres stressed

Reeling out statistics, she said, “There was a 63% increase in accident related deaths between 2004 and 2013 and of the 10 lakh accident related deaths, more than 50% were due to brain injury.”

Highlighting the need for a regional spinal cord injury centres, similar to the ones present in UK. Also, she said, national registry is required for such injuries as there is lack of confirmed data on these injuries.

“The institute is the only one in India, with full-fledged treatment and rehabilitation facilities for brain and spinal cord injuries. Even AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) at New Delhi, has only five beds for PMR,” says senior social worker Dr Guru Nagarajan. While all the district hospitals in Kerala have PMR departments, TN is adapting it only now, an official source revealed.

The Vellore Government Medical College Hospital has only two staff for PMR, despite the fact that most patients with such injuries, visit that hospital. The institute which has a year-long waiting list for admission to its 83 inpatient beds, is likely to increase to 100 by September this year. 

But despite its stellar services, it is one of the most underplayed departments in the hospital. It is to be understood that, CMC’s medical students get to spend only 4 half day sessions in their pre-final year, despite the fact that, “Holistic treatment here aims to ensure not only recovery for the affected but also empowerment so that a patient can undertake most of his daily chores himself,” says Dr Raji.

She also added that, “annually, nearly 25 lakh patients are hospitalised and another 80 lakh suffer minor injuries in accidents which leads to an economic loss calculated as 3 % of the nation’s GDP.”

In a bid to create awareness nation-wide, the institute plans to conduct a three-day CME (Continuing Medical Education) programme starting from September 13, when more than 200 doctors associated with PMR are expected to participate.

“In a bid to create awareness, the department undertakes ‘Project helmet’ wherein 25 students from nearby colleges are brought to the facility for a workshop, where they are taught about the seriousness of brain and spinal cord injuries, through classes and interaction with patients,” says Nagarajan. 

Similar interaction with local government higher secondary schools, revealed that 80% were into underage driving without a driving license. This stresses the point that, strict action must be taken so that they can avoid accidents. 

Data from the institute’s admission list reveals that 60% of the admissions are for spinal injuries and the remaining 40% are those with brain injuries. Not many medical institutions opt for PMR as it requires a team of at least seven specialists, including physio therapists, occupational therapists, medical personnel, social workers and trained nurses. In CMC hospital, this department accounts for nearly one third patients being given free treatment as long-term hospitalisation for a family’s breadwinner costs around Rs 40,000 a month.

In a bid to empower patients, the department introduced wheelchair basketball, in 2014, as sports and recreation therapy with 7 sports wheelchairs. Today, at least two of its patients are members of the National Under 23 Wheelchair Basketball team and have represented the country, at Bangkok in 2017.

When it was noticed that those who came for check-ups, underwent only medical investigations, it was decided to organise ‘Rehab Melas’, where patients with spinal injury can come, spend the day interacting with their peers and participating in sports and various other activities. “This has become a peer support group and has been conducted annually, in February for the last 25 years,” says Dr Raji. She also added that nearly, 200 people attend this event.

“Since people from other areas of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts were unable to attend, mini-melas are organised in different areas,” says Dr Nagarajan. Such mela’s lead to patients being empowered as they listen to others stories and become encouraged.