Media Release
Bengaluru, Jan 6: The department of paediatric surgery at St John’s Medical College Hospital, in collaboration with the Spina Bifida Foundation and the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons - Karnataka State Chapter (IAPS-KSC), is set to host a groundbreaking Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme titled ‘Beyond Spina Bifida - A Focus on Long-Term Management'.
Scheduled to take place on January 10, at the Pope Paul Auditorium, St John’s Medical College Campus, this CME will address the multifaceted aspects of spina bifida care, from fetal diagnosis and surgical interventions to long-term follow-up in physical, psychosocial, and renal rehabilitation.
A key highlight of the event will be an oration by Dr Santosh Karmarkar, senior consulting pediatric surgeon at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, and founder-trustee and chairperson of the Spina Bifida Foundation (SBF) India. Dr Karmarkar, a trailblazer in spina bifida care in India, will share his invaluable insights and experiences during the oration.
The Spina Bifida Foundation (SBF), established in 1997, is a not-for-profit organization driven by medical professionals and parents dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of individuals with spina bifida. With a focus on prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation, SBF has positively impacted countless lives and leads the national ‘Go Folic’ campaign, promoting folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects.
The second day of the CME on January 11, will have a patient interaction session at the Cardinal Gracias Hall, St John’s Medical College. This gathering will bring together spina bifida patients and their families under the care of the Hydrocephalus Spina Bifida (HSB) clinic of the department of paediatric surgery at St John’s Medical College Hospital. This special clinic includes paediatric specialties of urology, nephrology, orthopaedics, child psychology and PMR under one roof. Currently there are 500 children registered in this clinic who receive care and regular follow up right into adulthood.
The interaction session aims to foster a sense of community and shared learning through discussions between patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists.
The interactive forum will provide a platform to share personal experiences, discuss real-world challenges, and draw inspiration from achievers living with spina bifida. Such events not only empower patients and families but also enhance healthcare providers' understanding, enabling them to refine care strategies for comprehensive spina bifida management.
This initiative aligns with the World Folic Acid Awareness Week (January 1-7), as recognized by the International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, underscoring the importance of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects.
The two-day event reflects St John’s unwavering commitment to delivering holistic, patient-centred care and advancing the field of spina bifida management through collaboration, education, and empathy.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Shubha A M, Prof & head, paediatric surgery
St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences
Email: shubha.am@stjohns.in; Phone: - 080-26274024