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Thursday 24 October 2013

Include multiple sclerosis under Disabilities Act: Docs

 
The disease, in which the body attacks its own cells and tissues, sets in between ages 25 and 35; Including it in the Act will get patients benefits and work rights.


Top neurologists have demanded that multiple sclerosis be included under the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995. A 2012 draft amendment to the effect is pending in Parliament.



The doctors said it is time authorities took note of the disease that strikes people aged between 25 and 35 and results in some form of disability. If the Act is amended, the increasing MS population will become eligible for disability benefits and special work rights.



Multiple sclerosis is a disorder of the nerve cells in the brain and spine, where the insulating covers of nerve cells are damaged due to inflammation. While the cause of the disease is not known, experts say it occurs among mostly in women in the productive age group of 25-35 years.



While there are no documented statistics, doctors estimate there are 100,000 to 200,000 multiple sclerosis patients in the country. Neurologist Dr PP Ashok from Mahim’s Hinduja Hospital said the number of patients suffering from the disease has been steadily rising.



“About 30 years ago, I used to get one MS patient in about three years,” said Dr Ashok. “Today, I see 20 to 30 new patients in a year. It used to be a problem affecting those in cold countries. Now with the global movement of people and technology improvement, more and more patients are being detected with the disease.”



Dr BS Singhal, director, neurology department, Bombay Hospital, said the disease attacks the entire nervous system, leaving the patient with some kind of disability eventually as it progresses.



“Patients generally become wheelchairbound or need cane support,” said Dr Singhal, who has been working with MS patients for the last 40 years. “MS also causes partial or total blindness.”



Doctors said the disease takes root at a time when a person is at the peak of his or her career or is planning for parenthood. They said employers often fail to be helpful due to lack of awareness.



“MS patients should be entitled to all the benefits given to a disabled person depending on the degree of disability,” said Singhal.



If the amended bill is passed, MS patients will be entitled to the same legal rights and benefits given to the blind or those suffering from locomotor disabilities.



“The bill will also help MS patients fight for other facilities like ramps, job quotas, etc,” said Anita Vesuvala, honorary vice-chairperson of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India’s Mumbai chapter.



MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

MS is an auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own cells and tissues.


The most common symptoms are weakness in the limbs, numbness, sudden loss of balance and blurred vision that may lead to paralysis.



Symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, limitations in mobility, slurred speech, urinary and faecal frequency and urgency, and cognitive impairment causing memory and concentration difficulties also limit the ability of people to work efficiently.


Source : MUMBAI MIRROR , 24th October 2013

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