Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot inaugurates ISSICON 2015

New Delhi, Sept 27, 2015: India will launch major initiatives, including wheelchair friendly buildings, widespread sign language training, skill training and easy accessibility of loans to make the country more amenable to people with disabilities under the ‘Accessible India’ initiative, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot said at the inauguration of the ISSICON 2015 in the national capital.

The 15th edition of the International Spine and Spinal Injuries Conference (ISSICON) witnessed participation of doctors, medical experts, and researchers from around the globe.
Stressing on the need to make the country more accessible and friendly to people with disabilities, Shri Gehlot said under the ‘Accessible India’ initiative the government plans to make 100 buildings across 50 big cities of the country disabled-friendly by providing specialized elevators, ramps and other such facilities.

Other initiatives to make India disabled-friendly include providing sign language training & equipment to people with hearing and speech problems, providing motorized tricycles and motorized wheelchairs, skill training and easy loans to help specially-abled people set up business and improve their lives.

Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Lov Verma applauded the spirit of Major H P S Ahluwalia, Chairman Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said the govt. is honored to be associated with ISIC.

Major Ahluwalia, Chairman ISIC; Patron, Spinal Cord Society rued the condition of spinal injury care in India, pointing out that while there are 21 spinal rehabilitation centers in USA, 17-19 centers in UK, India has only 1 such center.

“Training and equipping care givers to take care of the needs of SCI patients is another area where we need focus. Lack of people properly trained to handle the needs and requirements of patients is an area of concern. Increasing awareness among general people about causes, occurrence, treatments and cure of SCI is also important. People need to be trained to deal with such patients and help them live their life as normal as others,” said Dr H S Chhabra, Secretary, Spinal Cord Society; Medical Director, ISIC.

Two books were launched at the event, ‘Comprehensive Management of Spinal Cord Injuries’ and a handbook ‘Complete Superficial Spinal Injury & Stroke Rehabilitation’.
Nearly 63 national and 18 distinguished international faculties are a part of the conference which is organized every year in an effort to bridge the gap in professional development opportunities for health professionals involved in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) management.

Among the leading participants were Dr A K Mukherjee, President, Spinal Cord Society and Director General, ISIC; Dr J J Wyndaele, President, International Spinal Cord Society and Dr H S Chhabra, Secretary, Spinal Cord Society; Medical Director, ISIC.

Some interesting and pertinent subjects touched upon during the workshops and discussions included practical training on active living on a wheelchair, demonstration of wheelchair skills and maneuvers; assistive technology, vehicle, home and workplace modifications for physically disabled people; Advancements in Sports Rehabilitation for SCI; and challenges in addressing sexual concerns and fertility in people with spinal injury.

Among the international faculty at ISSICON 2015 were Dr. Ronald Reeves, Mayo Clinic, Department of PM&R, Rochester Minnesota, USA; Dr Patrick Kluger, leading Spine Surgeon from Germany; Dr Ziad M Alzoubi, Honorary President of Pan Arab Spine Society (PASS); Dr Byapak Paudel, General Secretary, Nepal Orthopedic Association; and Dr Narendra Pinto, Consultant, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, among others. A number of experts in the field and other spirited people were felicitated at the event by the Honable Minister.