Affected spina bifida claim recognition as a chronic disease and specialized in all Spain units

MADRID, 20 (EUROPA PRESS)

La Federación Española de Asociaciones de Epina bifida and hydrocephalus has claimed this Friday, on the eve of the international day of spina bifida, held Monday, November 21, the recognition of their disease as Chronicle, for treatments and devices orthoprosthetic need these patients are free of charge, and the implementation of specialized units in all Spain.

Thus said it to Europa Press the President of the Spanish Federation of associations of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, Carmen Gil Montesinos, who remembers that this group of concerned, consisting of about 19.272 people in this country, “takes 30 years claiming to recognize their illness as chronic”.

Spina bifida is a serious malformation of the spine of the baby that occurs during the first month of gestation. Where more frequent and severe, spinal not develop completely, causing sequels in the locomotor, urinary and digestive apparatus. This malformation, which is largely preventable, is the second cause of physical disability in children.

“To have 30 years working for the normalization of life in patients with spina bifida and their integration.” “Also have 30 years asking that it be declared chronic disease and that those affected may access and free medication and equipment orthoprosthetic needing”, exposes.

According to Gil Montesinos, patients with this disease, in most cases, pay 40 percent of the price of their drugs and devices. However, in communities autonomous such as Murcia and Valencia, absorbent and drilling are free. “We consider unjust these differences by communities and reminded Governments that, in the long run, this measure would reduce costs,” asserts.

The head of the Federation also claims that the Spanish hospitals have multidisciplinary specialized units to deal with this disease in hospitals, as these patients require throughout their lives, “many surgical operations”, according to the problems of each patient.

On the other hand, Gil Montesinos has also highlighted the importance of planning pregnancies, because taking the dose of folic acid – prescription medical-at least three months prior to pregnancy and during it, reduce 70 percent the chances of the baby to develop this malformation.