SOCIAL INITIATIVES
HEADED BY DR G BALAMURALI
Launch of Project Thalirgal by Kauveri Hospital
Launch of Project Thalirgal by Kauveri Hospital
Thalirgal - Kauvery Hospital + Rotary Club of Madras North + Tamilnadu Government
Background
Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity in India. According to recent studies, the infant mortality rate is increasing alarmingly despite tremendous advancements in medical technology and skills. With timely intervention, babies can be saved, and most children can lead normal lives like any other healthy child.
Though required skills, expertise, high-end technology, and complete sterile environments to prevent infections and treat newborn babies are available in some private sector hospitals, lower-income families find it difficult to pay hospital expenses. The delay in timely treatment and inability to bear hospital expenses leads to the death of several unfortunate infants.
2-4
98.8%
20-30%
Anomalies of the spine and spinal cord are collectively termed spinal dysraphisms. The true incidence is still unclear and probably underestimated. Spinal dysraphism can be classified as closed or open, depending on whether the overlying skin is intact or deficient. Open forms require urgent surgery as soon as babies are born, and any delay can lead to death or poor outcomes with severe disability.
Solution To Problem
On 21st June 2019 in Chennai, India, ‘Project Thalirgal’ led by Dr. G Balamurali of Kauvery Hospital, in association with Rotary Club of Madras North and Government of Tamil Nadu, was announced to provide corrective surgeries for treating congenital abnormalities in babies’ spine and brain, free of cost.
This unique Public-Private-Rotary Foundation project addresses very complex surgical problems and opens avenues for collaborations needed for our population. Each organization identifies their expertise, limitations, and importance in making a difference to a child’s life and future
Impact & Vision
Providing opportunities for low socio-economic groups to treat babies born with severe congenital problems brings change in social and economic development of the community. Project Thalirgal helps these babies undergo treatment at zero cost.
Newborn babies and children are given better outcomes through early surgery and better post-operative care when shifted early to Kauvery Hospital. As part of its social responsibility, Kauvery Hospital has been operating on newborn babies from various centers with birth problems (spinal cord congenital problems or tumors).
Brachial Plexus Injury - Dr G Balamurali introduction
Brachial Plexus Injury - Dr G Balamurali
Brachial Plexus Injury - Dr G Balamurali
Background
Brachial plexus injuries are caused by excessive stretching, tearing, or trauma to a network of nerves from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries often occur secondary to motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries or surgeries. Traumatic BPI causes either complete or incomplete damage to the brachial plexus resulting in loss of function and sensation related to level of damage. The recovery from the injury will depend on the severity, level and type of nerve damage. Pain is a very important side effect of the injury and can sometime be very severe and debilitating.
Solution To Problem
There are a growing number of patients with Brachial plexus injury. The awareness about the treatment options available, strategies to cope, counselling on psychological issues related to this is seriously lacking. Hence Dr G Balamurali started a patient support group on 22.09.2017 that bring together people with Brachial Plexus Injury for both surgeries to improve function and pain. This group consists of patients predominantly and also some specialists as advisors. People who have suffered and have undergone treatment support and guide those who develop a new injury. There is an unbiased opinion from patients as the support group grows in number. The aim is to have a peer support group who can not only understand and empathise but also guide to the right place of management at an earlier stage unlike some who had to suffer for decades. This website has details of the patient support group, a telephone number they can contact and ample information about where to seek help.
Visit:
www.bpisupportgroup.com
AMISH Awareness Movement for Injuries
Wings for life, Dr G Balamurali, Kauvery hospital
Background Of The Problem
Road traffic accidents, fall from height and at work place accidents seem to be the commonest cause of such injuries. India unfortunately ranks first in the world for these injuries.
Every 5 min someone dies in our roads and this will be 3 per minute by 2020. We will also have the highest number of vehicles on our roads beating USA by 2050. 80% of these accidents happen to the low income group of which 90 % are men between the age group of 18-40. The average cost of treating a head or spine injury could be several lakhs which only leaves them disabled as there is NO permanent cure for most severe injuries. If one member of the family is disabled from an injury it leaves the whole family paralysed and the cost indirectly affects the economy of the country by loss of productivity.
What Is Project AMISH?
Project AMISH is a non-profit campaign to spread awareness about head and spine injuries. Especially, at the workplace, public places and roads. This project proposes to inform common public about the importance of safety at the workplace, equip them with the knowledge to handle such injuries and sensitize them about the need to enable individuals with such injuries back to the mainstream.
What Can You Do?
- Though many people are fighting for the cause by implementing safety rules and regulations on our roads and work place we feel that there is a big lacunae for people to understand the seriousness of the problem.
- The reason we are giving importance to head and spine injuries is because these are the most severe injuries that a mankind can suffer.
- And the most important thing is this is totally PREVENTABLE by simple measures like education and awareness. This forms the mission of AMISH.
- Help us spread the news and join for the good cause. If you had family or friends who have been affected with spine or brain injury here is your chance to make sure that some other loved one does not suffer the same way.
- This project was launched in 2014 and has done severe activities of use to the public. Please watch this video to view the activities of AMISH.
