International Spinal Cord Injury Day: Webiner on “COVID 19 & SCI: Staying Well”

On the occasion of 5th World Spinal Cord Injury Day, the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) arranged a webinar on “COVID19 and SCI: Staying Well”. The panelists were Valerie Ann Taylor, Founder and Coordinator, CRP, Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher, The Daily Star, Md. Shafiq-ul Islam, Executive Director, CRP, Professor Dr .Fazlul Haque, Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon, Julian Francis, Developmental Consultant, and Asif Iqbal Chowdhury, Ex-Patient of CRP and Social Worker. The discussion was focusing on raising awareness of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and supporting the persons with SCI. Dr. Valerie A Taylor focused on the emerging necessity to raise awareness on SCI and support them physically and economically. Md. Shafiq-ul Islam described how CRP continued services in the COVID-19 pandemic situation and urged towards other hospitals or centers to continue rehabilitation services following CRP’s model. Dr. Fazlul Haque mentioned CRP as the pioneer organization in Spinal Cord Injury not in Bangladesh but also in the global context. The center’s service is level 1 and there is some room to improve government collaborations and acute care services because CRP has world-class professionals, he mentioned. Asif Iqbal Chowdhury, the Prime Minister Award Winner for best disable person and an SCI survivor stated that the impact of CRP’s service is reflected by the patient's satisfaction and empowerment, he also added CRP added life to years towards it’s patient. He felt CRP maintained world-class services towards SCI patients. Julian Francis mentioned the world is facing a similar crisis but if the organization like CRP is not supported by the local government, corporate society, or international people the impact will be on the vulnerable population in Bangladesh. Mahfuz Anam expressed that CRP is placed deeper in his heart because the organization is working devotedly for the people of Bangladesh regardless of economic status, ethnicity, or physical barriers. He also added, there is very poor awareness of Medical professionals and general people on CRP’s services and glorious journey. He said, CRP can arrange weekly live discussions with their beneficiaries and he promised to volunteer CRP’s future initiative. The webinar can be found in CRP’s official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CRP.org