Bangalore: Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, the trusted multi-specialty healthcare facility organized a workshop on multiple sclerosis (MS) in the city on Wednesday along with free consultation for MS patients.
On this occasion, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru donated specialized wheel chairs to Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) for MS patients. The program was aimed at sharing recent advances in the understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its therapy, which would ultimately benefit families and patients affected with this chronic disorder. There were additional lectures on mechanism of MS disease, Memory issues in MS followed by group yoga activity, relaxation and physiotherapy. The workshop was attended by over 75 patients and their family members.
Following this, free consultation with Neurologists, Physiotherapist, Nutritionist & Psychologist was made available for all MS patients.
Dr Rajesh B Iyer, Consultant Neurologist and Epileptologist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru said, “Being a prolonged disease that affects individual at their prime, the socio- economic burden of MS is vast in the country. We have seen rise of MS cases in Bengaluru in the last one year. During our regular screening, we come across a minimum of 20 MS patients per 1000 neurology cases in Vikram Hospital. On an average, there are about 1000 MS patients in Bengaluru alone”.
He further added that “our main objective is to spread awareness about MS in society, as early diagnosis can result in better prognosis. MS, if left untreated can lead to disabilities. Early treatment can prevent disability. Also we need to improve the quality of life of MS patients, who already have disabilities. ”
MS is a chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease, which affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Even in the absence of new symptoms, the disease is a continuously active. Treatment is available in the form of injectable and oral medication, but is not affordable by all as it is expensive. Symptoms of MS includes Blurring of vision, double vision, tingling numbness of any part, imbalance of body while walking and as the disease progresses, there could be bladder dysfunction, cognitive changes and difficulty to walk.
Dr Somesh Mittal, CEO Vikram Hospital Bengaluru said, “Awareness about Multiple Sclerosis and early treatment is the need of the hour in today’s age and time. Vikram Hospital has been supporting MS patients by arranging logistics support as well as running specific programs for MS patients within the hospital. We have customized our diagnostic packages for MS patients like the MRI – MS protocol etc. This coupled with the fact that we have neuro – radiologist who are able to identify changes in the disease. Staff nurses here have been trained to administer the MS medications appropriately. We provide free injection room services to MS patients .
