Saturday, July 16, 2005

Push for spinal wards

Paraplegics are appealing to the Health Ministry to allocate spinal wards at government hospitals for proper treatment, particularly for bed sores.
Government hospitals, they claim, are generally disinterested in providing them adequate treatment and care for such wounds.
Often, they are sent home before they can recuperate.
“Bed sores are not something the disabled find it easy to handle on their own.
“Hospitals should be caring enough to understand their predicament,” said Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva, adding that he was prompted to highlight their plight by a recent case.
He said one of the centre’s inmates was sent in May to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment of serious bed sores.
However, Siva said the 24-year- old, who was referred to the centre by a non-governmental organisation from Sitiawan, Perak, was discharged even before he had recovered.
“The man was discharged after being warded for three days.
“As his condition was still critical, we decided to send him to Selayang Hospital where he was kept for a day.
“After much persuasion, the hospital authorities sent him to Kuala Kubu Hospital where he is still recovering.”
Siva said the paraplegic are urging the Government to allocate a spinal ward to enable them to enjoy proper medical care.
The centre, based in Rawang, was established five years ago to provide basic training for the handicapped.
source

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