Access to medical care of multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis was identified as a disability only 3-4 years ago. Awareness about this condition needs to be created to assist the patients in leading a normal life by providing quality health care in terms of medicines, caregivers and health workers. There is no insurance scheme for the MSP's , the treatment is very costly and most of the times the patients are unable to visit the hospitals at regular intervals for their injections.

Multiple sclerosis patients require to invest in the following to sustain their lives:

* Medicines and injections which amount for more than Rs. 10,000 a month

* Physiotherapy/speech therapy

* Care givers

* Walking aids/ Wheelchair

* Diapers/Bedpads

* School fee support for the children of MS patients

* Rehabilitation of family

* Monthly medical support camps

One of the many programs offered by MSSI is about assisting the MS community involves funding support for monthly medicines, injections, physiotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) exams. Our programs also include arranging doctor appointments for MSPs, monthly meetings with MSPs, touring them through educational videos and publications, get sponsors for safety, mobility equipment distribution, creating awareness in public through beach walk, entertainment through cultural programs, arranging doctors on a regular basis on medical modifications, research, counselling, etc.

*MSP- multiple sclerosis person

Making the costly medicines which are necessary to stem the progression and are beyond the reach of the under previleged MSP. We want to make the impossible possible by being able to fund them for the 'interferons and betaferons' which are absolutely essential to stem the progress of MS.

Many MSPs do not have the basic necessities like food, clothes and daily needs. We provide them monthly donations to meet their life requirements.

Children of those affected by MS are provided with education support and bicycles for transportation.

We tie up with a team of physiotherapists for house visits.

Through public awareness programs, those in rural areas get to know about the society's initiatives and nearby health practitioners.