Torrevieja support for spina bifida association
A CAMPAIGN has been launched by the Torrevieja healthcare area management company, Ribera Salud and the provincial spina bifida and hydrocephalus association (AEBHA).
They have set down guidelines for the work that is needed to prevent spina bifida, which is a congenital fault in the development of the spinal cord and vertebrae.
According to several studies, if women of fertile age take 0.4 milligrams of folic acid for at least three months before falling pregnant and during the first trimester, they could reduce the probability of their child being born with spina bifida by 70%.
Javier Pérez Cabrera, a professional from Torrevieja hospital who is affected by the illness, assured that it has ‘never caused a problem going about my duties at work’ for the company.
As well as ‘supporting and collaborating with the association on projects over the coming months’, Ribera Salud is ‘making its resources available to patients to help the association with its important work in prevention, early treatment and rehabilitation’, said Torrevieja area manager, Eva Baró
This includes spreading information about preventing spina bifida in all its health centres.
Association representative Antonio Ortega said that spina bifida is ‘most serious congenital malformation that is compatible with life, and causes the most repercussions’.
“In 70% of spina bifida cases it is associated with hydrocephalus, which consists of an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranium,” he explained.
“However with early treatment this condition does not affect intellectual development.”
Folic acid is a common B vitamin that dissolves in water and is essential for the functioning of the human body.
The body needs more vitamins in periods of rapid growth, for example during pregnancy or when the foetus is developing.
Folic acid is found naturally in green leafed vegetables and from at least three months before getting pregnant it is recommended to complement the diet with a 0.4mg tablet.
In the Torrevieja healthcare area, there is a care plan for people with severe or serious disability in order to guarantee universal access to treatment, and to improve the experience of these patients and their quality of life.
This includes minimising, as much as possible, the time they have to wait before being seen, enabling their principal carer to accompany them to appointments (clinical situation permitting), adjusting professionals’ appointments so that these patients get enough time (20-30 minutes), and training professionals to ensure this plan is implemented.
AEBHA is a non-profit association and was declared a public utility, which works to help and advise people in Alicante province with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
This includes trying to improve their quality of life and achieve full social integration for them, and raising awareness among the public.
It has a centre for physiotherapy and early attention that is open to any member of the public with any disability, and specialises in paediatrics.
The centre has a multisensorial stimulation room and offers an initial evaluation of children, including a functional diagnosis and individualised advice.