HONOURED: T. S. Kanaka (extreme right), a specialist in rehabilitation medicine receiving the lifetime achievement award from Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, at the International Conference in Chennai on Tuesday. A. Andal, (centre), chairperson, organ ising committee looks on. — Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: Rehabilitation as a science needs special attention to improve the quality of life of persons with severe neurological disorders and those affected by natural disasters, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said on Wednesday.

Rapid advancements in the field of neurosciences had, to an extent, helped to diagnose and treat neurological disease and disorders. The advent of CAT and MRI in neuro imaging and advances in molecular biology had enhanced the accuracy of diagnosis. Pharma research had helped to improve treatment methods. But it was essential to evolve modalities to take a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, focussing on physical, cognitive, psychological and social issues.

Mr. Barnala was speaking at the inaugural of the International Conference on Neurosciences and Rehabilitation organised by the World Federation for Neuro Rehabilitation, CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation and Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Tamil Nadu chapter.

He released a souvenir on the occasion. The first copy was handed over to Ian Mason, Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission.

Lifetime achievement awards were given to senior specialists for their contribution to rehabilitation medicine. The awardees included K. Jagannathan, G. Arjundas, S. Kalyanaraman, V. Balasubramaniam, T.S. Kanaka, Sarada Menon, O. Somasundaram, M. Papakumari, V. Pushpa and G. Kumaresan.

Mr. Mason touched upon India's potential as a healthcare destination. A delegation of UK health service providers, keen to explore possibilities for collaboration in India's rapidly growing health sector, was in Chennai recently, he said. A group of Indian healthcare specialists would soon travel to the UK to see how the two countries could co-operate. Exciting possibilities exist across a wide spectrum of medical research and a vast array of different sectors.

A. Andal and M. Mohan Sampathkumar, organising chairpersons of the conference, and B.S. Virudhagirinathan, organising secretary, spoke.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail