Smt. Soumini Jain, Mayor, Corporation of Kochi,
Dr. Sathish Rudrappa, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Sakra World
Hospital, Bangalore,
Dr. R. Selvan, Professor of Neurosurgery, Medical College,
Kanyakumari,
Dr. Sajeesh K. Menon, Professor and HOD of Neurosurgery,
AIMS, Kochi,
Dr. Raju Paul Manjooran, Department of Neurosurgery,
Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, Kochi,
Dear Doctors and Medical professionals,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Evening to all.
I am very happy to inaugurate SPINE 2019, the 19th National Conference of the Neuro-Spinal Surgeons Association of India [NSSA].
Let me at the outset, compliment the Neuro-spinal Surgeons Association of India [NSSA]and the Cochin Spine Societyfor organizing this National Conference in Kochi.
I am informed that this Conference aims to stimulate education, learning and knowledge in the various aspects of neuro-spinal studies.
I also take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Kanak Kanti Barua, Vice Chancellor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and Dr. Krishna Sharmafrom Nepal on receiving the Honorary Membership.
Most importantly, Dr. P. S. Ramani, the founder President of Neuro-spinal Surgeons Association of India [NSSA] has been honored today and I extend my best wishes to him.
As we all know, Dr. P. S. Ramani, who spent four decades to develop spine surgery from its infancy, has been widely recognized as the Father of Neuro Spinal Surgery in India. Interestingly, it was after retiring from his university that he gave up the Cranial part of Neurosurgery and dedicated himself to the development of Spinal Surgery. The Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion [PLIF] which he invented, had received worldwide recognition. His tireless efforts and research in had resulted in the idea of a Bone bank in 1985 and it became the first authentic Bone Bank in Asia.
The work of Dr. Ramani attains great significance in the light of India reporting over 15000 new cases of Spinal cord Injury every year. In fact, the disability levels caused by the slightest injury on the spine is higher than many other injuries. Besides, the cost involved in the treatment of spinal cord related issues is enormously high. In such a scenario, Dr. Ramani’s gesture of providing such costly treatment to people who cannot afford even basic medical attention, is truly laudable.
The formation of Cochin Spine society also merits mention here as an effort to bring together some Neurosurgeons and Orthopaedicians dedicated to spine surgery so as to develop a team to handle complicated spine surgeries. Their regular discussions on the issues and complications in spine surgery have helped to strengthen the medical capabilities of doctors as well as hospitals in the handling of spine surgeries. I understand that various training programmes like Workshop on Cervical Spine,Amrita Spine Course 2018etc., were conducted by the Spine Society in association with various medical Departments at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences [AIMS].
Like in other disciplines of study, the recent developments in Neurological Sciences, especially those related to the Spine, have helped considerably to identify and treat disorders which had remained unmanageable and incurable in the past. From the seventies, when our neurologists had to be content with limited, rudimentary equipment, we have progressed a lot enabling our Neuro surgeons and Physicians to be comparable with those in the developed world. Besides, many technical developments have helped our Neurologists to have access to compact and micro-chip based equipment with high accuracy.
However, what is equally or more gratifying is that there has been considerable break-through in the research related to neurological sciences in the last decade, especially in Spine related issues and Neuro-Critical Care. What our hospitals, especially those which are funded by the tax payer’s money, should do is to make the most of the sessions dedicated to medical interactions on Neurology, so that the knowledge gained benefits the ordinary masses.
I have been informed that inter-disciplinary studies and research have been contributing greatly to the development of knowledge in all areas of neurology. The advances in genetics and immunology, for instance, are now helping to identify genes which could lead to neurological diseases. I hope this conference would have discussions on such studies also.
Since this workshop is being held in Kerala, I think a word about the prevalence of neurological health issues in Kerala, which affect elderly people, will not be out of place. We know that with the development of medical science, there has been improvement in life expectancy. No wonder, the elderly population is also on the increase all over the world. In Kerala, the percentage of population above 60 years of age is 12% and it may cross 25% by the year 2050. I understand that Neurological and spine handicaps form a considerable chunk of the health issues faced by our elderly people. It is high time we addressed the unique neurological health issues of the elderly population with a little more attention. The diseases like Parkinson's disease, dementia etc., are also becoming too common.
We, therefore, need to scale up the capacity and expertise of our Neurological and Spine care delivery system by providing training to physicians and surgeons in this area and by attracting more medical graduates into these disciplines.
The organizers of this workshop could also think of continued efforts to create awareness among people about the Neurological and Spine issues they could face in different stages of life. You may be well aware that in most of the third world countries, one of the issues hampering the field of Neurological sciences is the lack of social awareness about Neurological disorders. Awareness about factors contributing to such issues in children and infants also need to be highlighted.
I hope that the Neurology Departments of the participating hospitals would benefit greatly from the presentations in this Workshop and pass on that benefit to the people in the form of more advanced diagnosis and treatment.
I congratulate the people behind the publication of the monograph we released today.
I once again greet all the delegates, especially those from abroad, who have come to attend this Conference and wish them a comfortable stay here. I compliment the Cochin Spine Society for having organized this function in a befitting manner.
Thank you
Jai Hind
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