IVF treatment could affect kids' intellect

 A new study has found that IVF treatments for the most severe forms of male infertility are associated with an increased risk of intellectual disability and autism in children.

Autism and intellectual disability remain a rare outcome of IVF, and whilst some of the risk is associated with the risk of multiple births, the study provides important evidence for parents and clinicians on the relative risks of modern IVF treatments.

(IVF treatment could affect…)

The study is the largest of its kind and was led by researchers at King's College London (UK), Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA).


By using anonymous data from the Swedish national registers, researchers analysed more than 2.5 million birth records from 1982 and 2007 and followed-up whether children had a clinical diagnosis of autism or intellectual disability (defined as having an IQ below 70) up until 2009.


Of the 2.5m children, 1.2 percent (30,959) were born following IVF. Of the 6,959 diagnosed with autism, 103 were born after IVF; of the 15,830 with intellectual disability, 180 were born after IVF.



Multiple pregnancies are a known risk factor for pre-term birth and some neurodevelopmental disorders, so the researchers also compared single to multiple births.


Sven Sandin, co-author of the study from King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry said, "IVF treatments are vastly different in terms of their complexity. When we looked at IVF treatments combined, we found there was no overall increased risk for autism, but a small increased risk of intellectual disability. When we separated the different IVF treatments, we found that 'traditional' IVF is safe, but that IVF involving ICSI, which is specifically recommended for paternal infertility is associated with an increased risk of both intellectual disability and autism in children."



Compared to spontaneous conception, children born from any IVF treatment were not at an increased risk of autism, but were at a small increased risk of intellectual disability (18 percent increase - from 39.8 to 46.3 per 100,000 person years).



However, the risk increase disappeared when multiple births were taken into account.



Secondly, the researchers compared all 6 different types of IVF procedures available in Sweden - whether fresh or frozen embryos were used; if intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used, and if so, whether sperm was ejaculated or surgically extracted.



Developed in 1992, ICSI is recommended for male infertility and is now used in about half of all IVF treatments.



The procedure involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, rather than fertilization happening in a dish, as in standard IVF.



Children born after IVF treatments with ICSI (with either fresh or frozen embryos) were at an increased risk of intellectual disability (51 percent increase - 62 to 93 per 100,000).



This association was even higher when a preterm birth also occurred (73 percent increase - 96 to 167 per 100,000). Even when multiple and pre-term births were taken into account, IVF treatment with ICSI and fresh embryos was associated with an increased risk of intellectual disability (66 percent increase for singleton birth, term birth following ICSI with fresh embryos- 48 to 76 per 100,000).

 

Source : TOI , 7th July 2013

Promising body builder struggles to realize his dreams : Mangalore

He has won the Mr India title and won at least 25 prizes in body building shows. Yet, there is a question mark over the future of JagadishPoojari, 27, who is physically challenged.

Jagadish, who made the state proud by winning national body building events, has knocked at the doors of many for a government job. However, he is yet to get a positive response from the government despite having passed ITI and computer courses.

Physical deformity and poverty did not deter Jagadish from dreaming big in body building. He works out for hours at a city-based gymnasium under the guidance of instructors Sandeep and Ajay. He has competed in more than 25 national, state and district-level events and has been honoured on more than 75 occasions.

Jagadish, born to Yamuna and Lingappa of Adyarupadavu (on the outskirts of the city), struggles to take part in the national events. Many a time, he participates with the help of his friends and well-wishers.

Jagadish told TOI that he missed international events twice. "Though I was selected to take part in international events, I could not make it due to financial constraints. My gym and friends lend a helping hand whenever I face difficulty to take part in national events," he said.

"It is necessary for a body builder to have sufficient quantity of nutritious food. Meanwhile, I have to look after my dependants at home too. I have no sponsors to take care of my expenses as an athlete. I can fulfill my dreams to take part in international events if the government provides me a job considering my talent," Jagadish said.

Having commenced his success saga by bagging the 'Mister Dakshina Kannada' award in 2006, Jagadish has since gone on to win several national and state laurels in Mister India, Mister South India, Mister Karnataka, Mister Dakshina Kannada, Mister Kasargod etc.

Source : TOI , 8th July 2013 

Differently-abled turn the tide with hard work : Guwahati

For Ritu Raham, the whole world suddenly became a difficult place to survive when she lost her hand in an accident a few years ago. Though it took her a while to come to terms with life, she ultimately mustered courage and found a way out to fend for herself.


Ritu, now 40, earns around Rs 3000 a month by weaving mekhala chadar. She has been in this profession since 1996.


Like Raham, Hini Juh from Meghalaya earns around Rs 1 lakh by selling land. Recently, he has bought a car and house.


For Raham and Juh, disablity is not a problem if anyone has talent. Their zeal to work hard and to gain more knowledge about business has landed them at a five-day workshop on "micro-enterprise skill development" organized by Association for Rehabilitation under National Trust Initiative of Marketing (ARUNIM) and Sishu Sarothi, a city-based NGO working for people with disabilities.


Like them, about 30 entrepreneurs from Assam and Meghalaya have participated in this workshop.


Thilakam Rajendra, managing director of ARUNIM, said, "All participants are entrepreneurs but they do not have the knowledge of marketing the products and expanding their business. This workshop will help them to acquire more ideas and knowledge in business skills and understand the concept of enterprise. It will also orient them to business plan preparation, costing and marketing strategies."


She added that the organization is also planning to make them successful members of society. "Nowadays bamboo and cane products are very much in demand. There is a very good market for these products in Delhi. So, we are going to take the products such as bamboo pickles produced by these entrepreneurs and sell them there. This way, they will get exposure in the national market as well as local market," she added.


Director of Sishu Sarothi and member of ARUNIM Arman Ali said, "This is for the first time that such kind of workshop on micro-enterprise for disability is being held. There is not much job prospect for the people with disabilities and they have to create their own jobs in order to sustain. Such workshops will help the entrepreneurs in capacity building."


Shwallet Tang, who has come all the way from Shillong, said, "I am a nutritionist by profession working for a Russian company. I have poor eyesight but even than I am earning around Rs 7,000 a month. I have come to attend this workshop to gain more knowledge regarding business."

ARUNIM is also planning to set up regional design and incubation centres in the northeast.

Source : T.O.I , 9th July 2013

Aid distributed to differently-abled : Chennai

Minister for Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme, Valarmathi distributed goods to a group of differently-abled on Monday. The goods included sewing machines, wheelchairs, magnifiers, behind-the-ear hearing aids, leg braces and spirometers  amounted to Rs 6.55 lakh.

The distribution which happened at Andhra Mahila Sabha, Adyar, also had the presence of P Sivasankaran, Secretary, and V K Jayakodi, Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Department of  Welfare of differently-abled. A Sundaravalli, Chennai District collector, also took part in the event.


Source : The New Indian Express , 9th July 2013 

Ahlibank to make daily donations of RO1,000 during Ramadan

Ahlibank, one of the leading banks in Oman, is all set to begin its 2013 Responsible Banking Charity Drive.

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This Ramadan, the bank promises to ‘give back’ to various orphanages, schools, women’s associations, associations for the differently-able and NGOs. The Responsible Banking Charity Drive now in its fifth year is an annual campaign organised by Ahlibank and spans the entire network of the bank in sultanate.

Abdul Aziz al Balushi, CEO, Ahlibank said, “Ramadan is not only a memorable time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but also the time when we learn patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness. It is our duty and commitment to support and contribute to the development of the Omani society, through our small gestures. We hope that this campaign will bring some measure of joy and happiness to each of these organisations”.

Murtadha al Lawati, head of corporate communication, Ahlibank, said, “Ramadan is nearing and we, at Ahlibank, are all set to support the different social initiatives being carried out by a number of organizations around the sultanate.

This is what we believe in doing all yearround and particularly in the sacred month that epitomises the spirit of giving and caring. This year’s Responsible Banking drive will insure that a donations of RO1,000 is made every working day to support the different social initiatives in different regions of the country. Ahlibank has been organising Responsible Banking Charity Drives since 2008 and it has become more of a tradition for the bank.”

 

This year the proceeds will be given to charities including the Omani Women’s Association in Salalah, Sohar, Nizwa, Barka; the Al Wafa Social Centres in Nizwa, Salalah and Ibra; Down Syndrome Parents Group in Muscat; the National Association for Cancer Awareness in Ibra and Muscat; the Al Noor Association for the Blind in Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar and Salalah; the Association for the Welfare of the Handicapped in Barka; Omar Bin al Khattab Institute for the Blind and Child Centre in Muscat. “Ahlibank has always seen itself as a responsible member of the society and we believe that being a responsible citizen is the key to our success as an organisation.” added Lawati.



Source : Muscut Daily , 9th July 2013

Differently abled kids get ready for Special Olympics : Tiruchirapalli

Collector Jayashree Muralidharan with the students of Asha Deepam and Blossom Special Schools at the public grievances meeting held at the collectorate on Monday


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Four special children from the city who have qualified for the 2013 Special Olympics, the international competition for persons with intellectual disabilities, received Rs. 20,000 each from the District Collector on Monday. The students who were apprehensive about participating in the international event due to shortage of resources, were given assistance to help them make it to the event in Australia this November.

District Collector Jayashree Muralidharan distributed the assistance from the collector’s discretionary fund to the students of Asha Deepam and Blossom Special Schools, at the public grievances meeting here at the collectorate. All four children have mild or moderate mental retardation. In the last edition of the Special Olympics at Athens, seven athletes from Tiruchi, represented India and brought home a rich haul of medals. In addition, seven persons also received Rs.50,000 for a chance at self-employment. The Collector also passed orders for 16 persons including widows and farmers to avail assistance under the social defence scheme.

A total of 643 petitions were received on Monday. These included appeals for free house patta and patta transfer, requests for employment and ration card, old age pension, differently abled pension and various basic amnesties. 

Source : The Hindu , 9th July 2013

Services for the disabled need to be improved : Jeddah

Civil Defense personnel are shown on the ready to assist disabled pilgrims in Makkah in this file photo.


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The Ministry of Social Affairs has blamed parties in the public and private sectors for the lack of services and facilities for the disabled, accusing them of ignoring instructions and procedures to ensure better roads and public places for this category. Yet Undersecretary for Social Welfare Dr. Abdullah Yousuf said the ministry has fulfilled its role for this category of the population.


He said his ministry follows up on the needs of the physically challenged, especially when it comes to roads and public places. Yousuf said the ministry is displeased by the fact that roads and public places such as gardens, parks and markets, in addition to public and private sector building, as well as public toilets, have not been probably equipped to serve the needs of the handicapped.


He pointed out that there exists a coordinating committee to serve the needs of this category in society inside the ministry and is presided over by the deputy undersecretary for social affairs and includes other public sector parties.


He said the ministry and committee is following up on this by conducting a detailed study in cooperation with other parties to ensure that more work can be carried out for this sector of society.

Source : Arab News , 8th July 2013

State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities meeting held : Dimapur ( Nagaland )

State Commissioner Disabilities, DR. Atha Vizol with Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Selja during the 12th National Meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to review implementation of PwD Act, 1995 at New Delhi.


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The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Selja inaugurated the 12th National Meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to review implementation of PwD Act, 1995 on June 28 at New Delhi. Minister Selja said that the Ministry will not fail the citizens with disabilities and assured all cooperation to all the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities from all over the country attended the meeting. From Nagaland, State Commissioner Disabilities, DR. Atha Vizol attended the National Meeting on June 28 and 29 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Minister Selja assured the Nagaland State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Atha Vizol of her assistance and cooperation and wished him well for the assignment given to him.

The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, New Delhi, chaired the meeting. With regard to Monitoring utilization of funds under Section 61(b), the deputy Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, New Delhi warned the respective State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to be vigilant about this issue.

 

 

Status of implementation of PDA 1995 in Nagaland

 

During the meeting, Dr. Atha Vizol also presented report on Status of implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 in Nagaland.

In his report, Dr. Atha stated that the implementation of Persons with Disability Act, 1995 is still at an infancy stage in Nagaland. The public and persons with disabilities are mostly unaware of their rights as only a handful of genuine NGOs are working for the PWDs in Nagaland.

As for accessibility, very few Government Office and School Buildings has started to work on ramp and rail but for the rest it is unheard of.  Facilities for Braille Education has not taken off as expected. It has not started at all in inclusive schools. The much talked about and acclaimed District Disability Rehabilitation Centre run by the IRCS in Dimapur District of Nagaland is incapacitated and is struggling to bounce back. Employment opportunity and reservation for the PWD is still a big challenge but never the less it is being implemented.

Determined NGOs and Parent groups are struggling to make their ends meet for their wards suffering from disabilities.

He also stated that the State Government is also committed to address the needs of the PWDs.  “Hence I was appointed in December 2012. Till now I don't have a proper support Staff and place to function my office but I am optimistic that very soon I will be well established to cater to the needs of PWD and as such it will only be a matter of time for me to furnish a proper statistical report which will be submitted soon,” Dr Atha added.



Source : The Morung Express , 6th July 2013

Fort Kochi beach to be disabled-friendly soon

The most sought after tourist beach in Ernakulam is all set to become disabled-friendly beach too. The Fort Kochi Heritage Conservation Society has cleared a project wherein certain changes will be introduced in the walkway along the Fort Kochi beach facilitating wheel-chair ridden persons to have a view  of the beach.


Proposed by the Department of Tourism, the walkway for disabled persons is designed by renowned architect N Ramaswami, under whose supervision various renovation projects have been carried out in Fort Kochi and surrounded area earlier.  The project was presented at the meeting of Fort Kochi Heritage Conservation Society chaired by secretary Tourism Suman Billa.

“As per the project, a circuit will be constructed from Kamalakkadavu Junction to the area near to the  Dutch Cemetery through the beach. Ramps will be attached to the walkway for movement of wheelchairs and there will also be breakwater-like extended structures from the main walkway towards the sea, to take a disabled  person to have a close view of the sea,” said MP Sivasdathan, president of Kumbalangi Model Tourism Society, who is also a member of Heritage Conservation Society.

“The project has been approved by thesociety, It is learnt that the Department of Tourism will implement the project with the assistance from the union Ministry of Tourism,” said DTPC authorities.




Source : The New Indian Express , 9th July 2013

सपा मुखिया के रिश्तेदार बने विकलांग कल्याण निगम के चेयरमैन : U.P

बिधूना(औरैया),अंप्र :

जिले में शनिवार को प्रदेश सरकार ने एक और लालबत्ती दे दी। सपा मुखिया के रिश्तेदार सचिन पति गुप्त को प्रदेश सरकार द्वारा विकलांग कल्याण निगम का चेयरमैन बनाकर राज्यमंत्री के दर्जे से नवाजा गया।

शनिवार का दिन सपा नेता सचिनपति गुप्त और उनके परिवार के अलावा बिधूना क्षेत्र के लोगों के लिए भी महत्वपूर्ण रहा। शनिवार को सपा मुखिया मुलायम सिंह यादव के रिश्तेदार सचिनपति गुप्त को शासन द्वारा विकलांग कल्याण निगम का चेयरमैन नियुक्त किया गया। इस अवसर पर लालजी गुप्त, कृष्ण कुमार वर्मा, बड़े गुप्त, मनोज, धप्पी यादव, अनिल गुप्त, लाले सिद्दीकी, प्रमोद भदौरिया आदि ने मिठाई बांटकर खुशी का इजहार किया।



Source : Jagran , 6th July 2013 

NGO rues poor job prospects for people with disabilities : Guwahati

Shishu Sarothi, a non-profit organization for rehabilitation and training for those suffering from multiple disabilities, has said job opportunities are few in the city for people with disabilities and said it aims to dig out more scope for such persons both in the private and public sector.

Shishu Sarothi launched the Disability Employment Initiative in 2010 to provide empowerment to the differently abled both in Assam and Meghalaya and has been working on providing empowerment to such persons. The NGO has also been working on providing education, rehabilitation, training, employment and protection of the rights of these people.

The executive director of Shishu Sarothi, Arman Ali, said, "The city has been developing economically over the years and a number of companies have been established here. But the scope for the differently abled has been extremely limited. This issue needs to be addressed. We are trying to sensitize both the companies as well as the disabled people on this."

He added, "We have organized the first-ever job fair for persons with disabilities, CareerAccess2010, in the Northeast, where 22 private sector organizations and 352 qualified persons with disabilities took part."

Saswati Barman, the project coordinator for disability employment initiative at Shishu Sarothi, said, "The problem lies at both ends with regards to the jobs. We are trying to provide employment for people with disabilities in both the public and private sector. Besides infrastructural changes, more confidence needs to be instilled in differently abled people."

Barman said, "The industries and organizations need to be more sensitized and they should be willing to employ people with disability."


Source : TOI , 7th July 2013

With new rules, state board makes education easy for disabled students : Mumbai

The state government has decided to change education for the better for differently-abled students and those with learning disabilities.

Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) issued a circular on July 2 allowing such students in classes IX and X a wider choice of subjects and introducing changes in exams and evaluation from this academic year.

Now, visually-impaired, spastic, hearing-impaired, autistic and students with learning disabilities can drop science for alternative subjects such as health and home sciences.

The mathematics theory paper will now carry only 50 marks while the remaining 50 will be given for project work done during an academic year.

The subject work experience will now be known as work education and instead of three languages, such students could opt for two work education subjects and one language.

"Differently-abled students have the option of choosing between health science and home sciences in place of general science, a subject they find difficult. We have asked schools to make teachers, special educators and parents aware of the changes and begin implementation," said Krishna Patil, secretary, MSBSHSE.

The move, he claimed, would encourage more disabled students to take the SSC board exam.

"This facility will be available to students who are blind, deaf, physically handicapped, those with learning and other disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spastic and autistic students."

However, the biggest relief for these students is that MSBSHSE has chosen class VII maths textbook for classes IX and X.

"We are thankful to the state board for taking a decision that favours thousands of students who find it difficult to cope with the regular curriculum. We will start implementing the changes immediately after a PTA meeting," said Shubhda Karnik of Dnyanasadhana school for differently-abled. 

Source :  The Indian Express , 9th July 2013

A day for the disabled : Pakistan

The Disabled People Organizations of Pakistan observe 05th July as National Day of People with disabilities to commemorate the ratification of UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities) made by Pakistan on 05th July 2011. This year is being observed under title “THE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION” to address article 29 of UNCRPD. The UNCRPD is Disability is given number of definitions but as per UNCRPD the disability is defined “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.


Persons with disabilities are 15% part of population of developing countries WHO report declares. Persons with disabilities are given various names like handicapped persons, disabled persons, special persons, persons with special needs, challenged persons, persons with different abilities etc……., but these names do not reduce impairments or barriers from society, these names create only sympathy but not empathy, meanwhile persons with disabilities need empathy but not sympathy. UNCRPD (United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with disabilities) is the universal convention signed by 155 nations of the world & 130 countries have ratified, to enable persons with disabilities in mainstream society. UNCRPD has given one name which is accepted by all that is “persons with disabilities”, because whenever someone born in the world, he is a human (person) first, then he is he or she, then he is Muslim or non-Muslim, persons with disabilities are human so that word person comes first then his/her disability comes. This name has dignity for persons with disabilities.


Persons with disabilities are not given acceptance from the society; therefore persons with disabilities are facing barriers. The society treats with persons with disabilities like burden over society, it treats like patients, like children & like gods. Meanwhile the persons with disabilities are not patients to be cured in the hospitals, not children to be kept into homes, not gods to be worshiped; what they are? They are human as you are; they have same rights to enjoy as you have, so please consider persons with disabilities as human.


The persons with disabilities have proved that disability is not curse but blessing in disguise. They have proved themselves in education sector, livelihood, and sports and in all spheres of life. Number of persons with disabilities have received higher education & received high slots in the jobs. They have proved their worth in sports from local level to international level received number of medals in Special Olympics, Paralympics, Abilympics and Deaflympics.


The disability is not inability; society must recognize the worth of disability and enable persons with disabilities as useful active citizen of society. The disabled friendly environment is need of hour. If we support persons with disabilities it means we are increasing our manpower.


Pakistan has ratified UNCRPD on 05th July 2011, which is great development. Now Government is bound to treat persons with disabilities in respect of UNCRPD’s 50 articles. Those articles address all miseries faced by persons with disabilities in daily life. The Pakistan Government has taken number of initiatives like issuance of Special National Identity cards, by which persons with disabilities availing concession in fares of airways, train & public transport. Somehow poor implementation is witnessed which is other part of story, which needs concentration by the administration.


The Government has reserved 02% job quota in all departments including private sector. Some districts have followed & provided jobs against quota but many of districts facing poor implementation. The quota is not enough as our populations exists, in Pakistan there are 04 categories of persons with disabilities like persons with physical disabilities, persons with blindness, persons with hearing disabilities & persons with intellectual disabilities. But one Down syndrome is also a category but still to be officially declared by government. If we have 05 categories then there should be 05% job quota, easy to distribute among all categories.


The legislative assemblies formulate policies, but no one discuss accessibilities of persons with disabilities, there is dire need to ensure political participation of persons with disabilities as per UNCRPD article No. 29, to participate in discussion as Member of Parliament. The resolution to allocate special seats for persons with disabilities in all assemblies including senate; was passed by standing committee on human rights during previous tenure of national assembly, but formal bill could not be tabled, it is highly demanded by new government to table the bill accordingly.



People with disabilities of Pakistan have promoted name of Pakistan at national level to international level, they are leading many networks from regional level to global level, and despite it Government is reluctant to accept their potential & role in the world. Government of Pakistan should recognize the services made by persons with disabilities at worldwide by awarding civil awards. We have number of names like Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani, Mr. Atif Sheikh, Mr. Shafiq ur Rehman, Mr. Abid Lashari, Mr. Mian Asim Zafar, Ali Mukhtar Jaffary, Ms. Abia Akram, Mr. Javed Rais, Muna Bhai, Mr. Mobin ud din, Mr. Nabi Bux Shar, Rafiq Balouch, Riaz Balouch, Khursheed Alam, Ahsan Daudzai, Ms. Anna Iqbal Bhatti, Mr. Mumtaz Mangi, Ms. Maria Qureshi, Ms. Saima Aslam, Mr. Imran & many others to be written in golden words. They have done lots of efforts for the sake of dignity of persons with disabilities & their beloved country within limited resources.


The persons with disabilities have hidden abilities, so please explore them and utilize to develop a society of inclusive development. Inclusive development is name of integration of persons with disabilities in mainstream society. Insha Allah persons with disabilities will find their destination very soon “A Barrier Free Society for All” as per UNCRPD articles.

By : Abid Lashari

Email : abid.lashari@ndfpakistan.org



Source  : The Frontier Post , 6th July 2013

Parents of disabled children told not to misuse facilities : Saudi Arabia

The Social Affairs Department in Madinah has called on the relevant authorities and imams to spread awareness among parents of special needs children not to misuse special vehicles and other facilities that were extended to them by the government.


The department sought action after it was found that parents were using these special vehicles meant for their children for other purposes such as transporting fodder for livestock. The Islamic Affairs Department said it was willing to set up facilities for people with disabilities but it requires an official letter from the Social Affairs Department.

So far, 94 persons with various disabilities in Madinah have been given cars with fittings according to specific individual needs. Among them are people who suffered paralytic attacks. Before handing over the car, the department goes into the medical as well as family and financial backgrounds of the families of disabled persons. The authorities also take into consideration the place where the person lives — city or village — before handing over the cars.

A counselor at the department, Ahmad Al-Sinani, said the process of distributing cars to parents of special needs persons was still on, and at least one such car is given away every week. The cars are registered in the name of the special needs person, he said, adding that some parents even misuse the financial assistance extended to the special needs children by the government.

“They do not spend the money on their disabled children, who are sometime seen wandering around in tattered clothes in public places such as hospitals and markets. Some parents use the disabled child’s car for personal trips and some even use it as taxi to ferry pilgrims,” he said.


Al-Sinani said that parents of children with special needs should realize that the financial assistance, car and other facilities such as housemaids and personal drivers are provided only to serve the disabled person.

Source : Arab News , 6th July 2013

IVF linked to risk of mental disability?

Children born through any in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure have a small increased risk of mental disability compared to spontaneous conception, say a new study.

By using anonymous data from the Swedish national registers, researchers from Britain, Sweden and the US analysed more than 2.5 million children born between 1982 and 2007 to examine the association between use of any IVF and different IVF procedures and the risk of autism and mental disability.

While mental disability remains a rare outcome of IVF, the findings provide "important evidence for parents and clinicians on the relative risks of modern IVF treatments for male infertility", Xinhua cited the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association as saying.

The study found 30,959 of the children - or 1.2 percent - were born following IVF.

Of the 6,959 diagnosed with autism, 103 were born after IVF, and of the 15,830 with mental disability, 180 were born after IVF.

Overall, when compared to spontaneous conception, children born from any IVF treatment were not at an increased risk of autism, but were at an 18 percent increased risk of mental disability, the study said.

However, the risk increase disappeared when multiple births, which were common in IVF, were taken into account.

The researchers also compared all six different types of IVF procedures available in Sweden and whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used.

Developed in 1992, ICSI is recommended for male infertility and is now used in about half of all IVF treatments.

The procedure involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, rather than fertilisation happening in a dish, as in standard IVF.

Children born after IVF treatment with ICSI were at a 51 percent increased risk of mental disability, a rise from 62 cases to 93 cases per 100,000, the study said.

Children born after IVF with ICSI were also at an increased risk of autism but the association disappeared when multiple births were taken into account, it said.

"When we separated the different IVF treatments, we found that 'traditional' IVF is safe, but that IVF involving ICSI, which is specifically recommended for paternal infertility, is associated with an increased risk of both intellectual disability and autism in children," said Sven Sandin, co-author of the study from King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry.

Karl-Gosta Nygren, co-author from Karolinska Institutet, however, said the majority of children are born perfectly healthy following IVF and that more research is needed to elucidate the reasons behind their findings.

It is estimated that approximately five million infants worldwide were born from IVF between 1978 and 2012.

Source : Business Standard Via IANS-Washington :  4th July 2013

Printed bionic ear to restore hearing in deaf

North America- Researchers including one of Indian origin are developing synthetic ears, which are capable of receiving and transmitting sound. Princeton University researchers mixed bovine cells with a liquid gel and sent it through a 3-D printer followed by tiny silver particles. The printerhas been programmed to shape the material into a bionic ear, and the silver particles are turned into a coiled antenna, which like other antennas are capable of picking up radio signals, which ear interprets as sound, Fox News reported.

Michael McAlpine, the professor who led the project, said what the team we really achieved was to show the capabilities of 3-D printing.

The printed ear is soft to touch and is translucent.

The ear is cultivated for ten weeks, where the cells are allowed to multiply, and hardened tissue are formed around the antenna.

Manu Mannoor, a graduate student who worked with McAlpine on the project, demonstrated how the process works.


Source : Hindustan Times , 5th July 2013

Peon, officials chargesheeted : Pune

The Pune rural police on Friday filed its first chargesheet against a 52-year-old peon of a school, its principal and two officials in an alleged rape case of a 12-year-old physically challenged girl student.

The peon, Mahadeo Asraji Borhade of Ane village in Narayangaon, is also accused of allegedly raping two more girls on different occasions on the premises of the school near Narayangaon, around 90 km from here. The chargesheets against Borhade in other cases will be filed soon.

School principal Vasant Balwant Gite, hostel superintendent Sawaleram Sitaram Pacharne and vice-president Sriprakash Chandmal Bora have been charged for allegedly abetting Borhade in committing the crime.

The chargesheet was filed before special court judge Vinay G Joshi by assistant police inspector N M Sarangkar.

"Borhade allegedly raped a student of standard V last year by taking her to a godown on the pretext of allowing her to receive a telephone call from her parents. He allegedly raped the girl for one year till March 30. Borhade also threatened her and told her not tell anybody about it," the chargesheet said.

The victim, who was frightened after the assault, did not say anything about the incident to anyone. After the examinations, she went home and informed her parents about it. Later, a complaint in this regard was registered with the Narayangaon police.

Investigations have revealed that Bora was instrumental in running the school administration and played a key role in the decision-making process.

"The victim first complained to a female caretaker, who took serious note of the incident and reported the matter to Pacharne. However, Bora hushed up the incident. The victim was not provided with legal assistance and was also deprived of medical aid. The police also failed to gather circumstantial evidence against Borhade and others owing to delay in filing the complaint," the chargesheet said.

"At Bora's behest, Gite accepted a written complaint from the girl bearing her signature and forwarded it to Pacharne. However, during investigations, the police failed to lay its hand on the complaint, a vital piece of evidence, as it was allegedly destroyed by the officials. Later, Borhade's resignation was accepted by the officials," it added.

Borhade and the officials were charged for committing offences under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.



Source : TOI , 6th July 2013

Minor in car hits 10 pedestrians : Mumbai

A 15-year-old driver rammed his four-wheeler into a two wheeler meant for the physically challenged before ramming into 10 pedestrians at Achole Road in Nalasopara (east). The minor has been arrested.

Pranjal Warang was driving the Maruti Omni (MH 04 ET 6388) which rammed into a two wheeler driven by Mangesh Garate (32) who is affected with polio on both the legs. His mother Taramati (58) was with him.

The two-wheeler fell on the road but the driver continued to speed away knocking down 10 people, including a senior citizen and three school children. A woman Priyanka Jadyar (28) was among the pedestrians who was mowed down. She got seven stitches on her forehead.

All the victims are being treated at Alliance hospital.

The driver was caught by locals and handed over to the police. Angry crowd damaged his car.

The details about the owner of the driver is still to be ascertained, said PI Mukund Mahajan of the Nallasopara police station. It is not known whether the minor was drunk.


Source : TOI , 6th July 2013

CM lends an ear to citizens' woes, orders redressal : Bangalore

Govinda Reddy Maranura, aged about 70, travelled all the way from Navalgund in Dharwad district to meet chief minister Siddaramaiah in Bangalore on Friday. The troubled senior citizen wanted to apprise the CM of problems he had been facing related to his land in his village.

Maranura said he was unable to cultivate 50 acres of fertile land as some influential people had threatened him and stopped him from doing so. This had resulted in a loss of around Rs 25 lakh over the past couple of years.

The farmer didn't go back empty-handed. In his first Janata Darshan (public contact programme) as CM, Siddaramaiah patiently listened to his problems, called MN Reddi, ADGP (law & order), and directed him to find a solution. The chief minister even arranged a police jeep for the senior citizen to meet Reddi.

There were many others like Maranura, seeking redressal of their problems. Doddamma, 75, from Halagur in Mandya district, also complained of her agricultural land being encroached upon. The chief minister ordered the Mandya SP to resolve the issue at the earliest.

As land encroachment cases poured in, Siddaramaiah ordered all DCs, SPs, police commissioners, DCPs, additional SPs, assistant commissioners and tahsildars to keep their phones free between 9am and 12.30pm so he could call them directly while attending Janata Darshan programmes every Tuesday and Friday.

CM COMES TO CHILD's AID

Jaideesh, 4, an LKG student who's suffering from a skin disorder, had been asked not to attend classes by the Navodaya Vidyavardhka School management in Vidyaranyapura. According to Jaideesh's parents, Harish and Rachna, school authorities cancelled his admission after other parents threatened not to send their children to school fearing they would be affected. Rachna works as a computer science teacher in the same school.

"Despite producing a medical certificate that it's a genetic disorder which is not communicable, the school management cancelled my son's admission," said Harish, a tax consultant. The chief minister directed the local block education officer (BEO) to meet the aggrieved parents and resolve the issue.

ACTION WILL BE TAKEN

The farmer (Govinda Reddy Maranura) had come to my office. The Dharwad SP has been briefed about his complaint. In a few days, the SP will visit Navalgund village and action will be taken by district police.



PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED FORGETS TO APPLY FOR JOB:

N Dinesh, a physically challenged man from Channagiri in Davanagere district in search of employment told the CM that he forgot to see the job advertisement for guest lecturers in newspapers some days ago and the government should help him getting job. Before asking the departments to take his petition, Siddaramaiah in lighter vein said the government itself will read newspaper and apply for him in future.




Source : TOI , 6th July 2013

Physically challenged minor raped in West Bengal

A disabled 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped on Friday in West Bengal's Murshidabad ditrict. The son of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) couple was arrested in connection to the incident.

Majdar Sheikh alias Babu Sheikh, 26, allegedly took the girl to a jute field and raped her while she was returning from school. The incident took place at Balidear village, about 60km from Berhampore.

Sheikh’s father is the TMC general secretary of Raninagar block 2 while his stepmother Rabia Bibi is its working president. She is also contesting the rural polls from Raninagar gram panchayat 2.

After returning home, the girl narrated the incident to her family. Her parents then lodged a complaint with the police. “Based on the complaint, we arrested Sheikh,” Murshidabad superintendent of police Humayun Kabir said.

Sheikh, however, claimed he was impotent and couldn’t rape anybody. He told the police that both his wives left him because of that reason.

“Sheikh’s parents have nothing to do with the rape case,” TMC district president MD Ali said.

In another incident, a monk was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Nadia and then eloping with her.

Rabindranath Mondal, 48, of Taherpur rail gate area ran fled with the girl on Tuesday. Police arrested him from Dhantala on Thursday and rescued the girl after her father, Samir Saha, lodged a complaint.


Source : Hindustan Times , 6th  July 2013