09 Sep 2019

 It is possible for people living with spinal cord injuries to live quality life.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness’ deputy permanent secretary, Dr Morrison Sinvula, said this during an international spinal cord injury day commemoration in Ramotswa on September 5.

“Quality of life is very possible for spinal cord injury patients,” he said.

He stated that post spinal cord injury, the individual required several medical interventions including emergency services and later on intensive rehabilitation services.

The rehabilitation services, he said, included aggressive physical and occupational therapy which maximised recovery.

Dr Sinvula stated that the majority of recovery occured within the first six months post injury hence rehabilitation must commence immediately after the patient stabilised.

 “Usually, any remaining loss of function present after twelve months is much more likely to become permanent,” he added.

Dr Sinvula also pointed that access to adequate and evidence based rehabilitation was key to improving and maintaining the quality of the life of the affected.

He said rehabilitation was meant to optimise the functional levels of the affected individuals, minimise burden of the injury and ultimately prevent or reduce chances of disability.

However, he acknowledged that there was a gap between the rehabilitation needs and what was actually available as rehabilitation services.

Dr Sinvula said the government was working hard to address the situation adding that the ministry in collaboration with the City of Francistown and Motor Vehicle Accident Fund was about to open a specialised rehabilitation center in Francistown.

The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund general manager - Customer Services, Ms Mpule Ditirwa regretted that road accidents contributed to most of the spinal cord injuries.

She stated that most of the accidents which had bound people to injuries were caused by negligence and careless driving.

She stated that accidents had devastating effects as they affected a person’s social and economic livelihood.

Ms Ditirwa said the fund paid out millions to patients every year, adding that if care was not taken, MVA fund would be insolvent in the future.

Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of GaMalete stressed the need to close the gap between people living with various disabilities and the rest of the community.

She commended the contribution of institution such as Thuto Boswa Rehabilitation, Camphill Community Trust, South East Sports Association for People Living with Disability and the School for the Deaf saying they improved the quality of life of those living with disabilities. ENDS