Spinal injuries affect 1,200 yearly

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

About 1,200 people in Sri Lanka sustain spinal cord injuries annually.

About 80 percent of them die within two years due to various reasons, such as, urine infections and high blood pressure, said an executive member of the Asia Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN) Cyril Siriwardane (Spinal Cord Injuries Association).

He was addressing the media to create awareness on the 10th ASCoN International Conference on Spinal Cord Injuries, yesterday at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

He said most of the people who sustain spinal cord injuries are economically active people.

Therefore, their disability will be a big burden to the family.

The government too has to spend a large amount of money to look after them. Spinal cord injuries do not damage the brain and most of them can provide service to their family and also for the society, he said.

A Supreme Court order has been issued to protect the rights of disabled people under SC (FR) 221/2009 April 27, 2011, where all parts of new public buildings and places are required to be designed and constructed to aid the disabled.

"It is necessary to solve their problems to get their contribution for the betterment of their family and society," he said.

Dr Anil Dissanayake, Director Youth, Elderly, Disabled and Displaced of the Health Ministry said the ministry has already taken measures to educate people regarding spinal cord injuries.

The ministry also plans to enhance the number of rheumatology and rehabilitation hospitals in Sri Lanka to provide comprehensive, high quality rehabilitation service to patients.

The 10th ASCoN International Conference on Spinal Cord Injuries is held in Sri Lanka from October 21 to 23 with the participation of foreign representatives, medical officers and others.