Department of Neurology organises Awareness Program on “Move Strong-2015"

By 121 News

Chandigarh 31^st May:- The Department of Neurology conducted a public awareness program on MS "Move Strong-2015" at Nehru hospital PGIMER on 31 may 2015.The programmes highlights were lectures for MS patients on various aspects of the disease like sign, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Dr Julie Sachdeva and Dr Anuja  Patil from department of neurology educate patients and caregivers about the disease, its common sign, symptoms and various treatment options available. The lectures were very well attended. Programme was attended by over 100 MS patients and caregivers. In just two decades, MS has moved from being an untreatable disease to one where there are now multiple disease modifying therapy options are available. Newer and safer therapies speeding are also in the horizon that offer hope to people with all forms of this life altering disease. Information on the latest treatments for MS were exchanged and all patient queries were handled by the most experienced Neurologist of city.Rehabilitation also play  a very important role and this was highlighted  by   Dr  Rajan Chellappa from department of Physical and  rehabilitation medicine,PGIMER.

A panel comprising Prof. J S CHOPRA, Dr. Dheeraj Khurana and DR Manoj Goyal clarified a number of questions and myths about the disease with the patients and caregivers. This was followed by a quiz for the attendees about MS. This event brought the focus on MS, its psycho-social impact on the individual & families, and the benefits from the latest advances in medicine & rehabilitation.

A glaring fact which emerged from talking and survey from the patients was that only 1/3 of the patients were actually on disease modifying treatment. A number of factors contribute to poor treatment rates like lack of affordability and physician ignorance which leads to delay in starting treatment.