FIRST TIME IN ASIA 28th International Conference on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

NEW DELHI - Aug. 10, 2018 - PRLog -- The Spina Bifida Foundation of India & the International Federation of SB, has organized 28^th Annual International Conference on Preventive, Antenatal and Management aspects of Birth Defects. The Conference is organized for the 1^st time in India in association with World Health Organization (WHO) & in collaboration with Meyer Vitabiotics.

The three-day 28^th International Conference has started from today at Le Meridien, presided by Dr. Santosh Karmarkar, Founder Trustee, Spina Bifida Foundation, Dr. Margo Whiteford, President International Federation of Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus; Rohit Shelatkar: Director/ Vice President – Vitabiotics Ltd; Founder – Go Folic Campaign were also present at the occasion. Global Experts from Harvard, CDC (Atlanta), WHO, IFSBH from several other countries and India were present for addressing the media.

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus are the Birth defects result in 40,000 children born with childhood paralysis in India each year. A majority of these cases are preventable. So to spread public awareness, Global Experts from Harvard, CDC (Atlanta), WHO, IFSBH, several other countries and India will discuss various issue related to the Epidemiology, Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of Birth Defects focusing on Spina Bifida.

Dr. Santosh Karmarkar, Founder Trustee, Spina Bifida Foundation, said, "Prevention of Neural tube defects should be an urgent Public health priority for India, which has one of the highest incidences of this birth defect in the world. The Central and State Governments need to take this up on a war footing and like the polio campaign initiate a campaign for awareness regarding prevention of Spina bifida. This has the potential to prevent more than 25000 children born with childhood paralysis in India every year. The foundation also works equally for the rehabilitation of those who are already born with this devastating birth defect"

In support of the 2018 Spina Bifida Conference, Rohit Shelatkar, Vice President of Vitabiotics, UK said, "Unfortunately birth defects are a common problem faced worldwide, with an estimated 8 million children being born with a serious birth defect every year across the globe.  Birth defects are a common cause for death in the first year and for those that survive the mental or physical disability can become costly for those involved."

Mr. Shelatkar, further added, "The key and most important message in regards to this conference is that birth defects such as Spina Bifida are 100% preventable.  Prevention is simple, easy and also much cheaper than dealing with lifelong disabilities.  Taking vitamins as simple as folic acid and B12 during pregnancy have been proven to help prevent neural tube defects, hence raising awareness and educating people on this topic is key, whether that is via doctors' education, the media or conferences such as this.

About The Spina Bifida Foundation of India:

The Spina Bifida Foundation (SBF) – a not-for-profit organisation formed by Medical Professionals and parents of Spina Bifida Children who have been involved in the care and upbringing of Spina Bifida patients in India for more than a decade.

Since 1997, we – a group of doctors, parents and well wishers have been consistently working for the cause of improving the lives of Spina Bifida (SB) patients and for preventing SB.

The seeds of SBF were sown almost 15 years ago by Dr. santoshkarmarkar& his colleagues from Wadia Children's hospital when they encounterd children with spina bifida and formed an informal support group to help such kids and their families. The group slowly expanded with more families and doctors supporting the cause.

In 2006 the first Indian Spina Bifida Conference of Parents, Well-wishers and Doctors was held in Mumbai. This was attended by leading Spina Bifida experts and Epidemiologists and Health officials from all over the world.

About The International Federation of SB:

The International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) was founded by people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBH) and their families in 1979. Over the years, it has grown from a voluntary association into a professional disabled people's organisation (DPO) with global coverage, democratic structure and transparent and accountable processes.

The majority of IF member organisations are led and governed by adults with SBH or parents of children with SBH. Children are active participants in our members' activities: they are involved in child-led activities, training workshops on independence and holiday camps. Nowadays, many young people with SBH have taken over the leadership of their organisations. In most cases, IF members choose close cooperation with medical and education professionals and researchers, given the importance of these professions to children and adults with SBH for their survival and development.