ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (PRWEB) January 24, 2018
Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (A-BE-C), a global nonprofit organization providing education and support to bladder exstrophy patients and their families, announces that the 10th International Bladder Exstrophy Repair Workshop at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, India is underway. Experts treating bladder exstrophy from around world are providing life-changing surgeries and other care to approximately 110 children during the eight day event that began on January 20.
"Bladder exstrophy, while initially devastating, is treatable and manageable with proper surgery and care," said Pamela Block, Executive Director of A-BE-C. "In many parts of the world, children with this condition are not treated or even properly diagnosed. This annual event is changing the prognosis for hundreds of children worldwide.”
Hosted by Dr. Rakesh Joshi of Civil Hospital, a growing team of clinicians from all around the world, at their own expense, travel to Ahmedabad and volunteer their time to conduct major reconstructive surgeries and provide follow-up care to children with bladder exstrophy. Joining the team in 2014, A-BE-C has since been providing education, supplies, clothing and support to patients and families before and during medical treatment.
“We are fortunate to have A-BE-C as an integral part of the global team, and Pamela Block has added a new dimension to the care we are providing," said Dr. Rakesh Joshi. “Our patient return rate is over 90%, so there truly is evidence that we are having a critical impact here. The success is attributed to the ongoing support of Pamela and her team, and they care they are providing families.”
In addition to the direct care provided to patients, the surgical workshop provides a unique opportunity for surgeons to receive specialized training in bladder extrophy from leading experts in the condition. Newly trained surgeons leave the workshop with the ability and intent to treat patients in their own countries.
About the International Bladder Exstrophy Repair Workshop
In 2009, Dr. Aseem Shukla of Philadelphia and the late Dr. Richard W. Grady of Seattle traveled to India to work with India’s first Pediatric Urologist. During their visit, they were faced with an overwhelming number of patients in need of medical attention. As a result, they made a commitment to return to India annually, and help grow the discipline of pediatric urology with a focus on bladder exstrophy. The program has gained national and international attention. In 2010, The U.S. House of Representatives commended Dr. Richard Grady and Dr. Aseem Shukla for their medical work in India. In September 2016 during the United Nations General Assembly meeting, Dr. Shukla was recognized by India’s Prime Minister Modi for the great work being done in Ahmedabad.
About Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (A-BE-C)
A-BE-C is dedicated to supporting people who are affected by bladder exstrophy worldwide. Founded in 1995, the organization works to ensure all who live with this rare and life-altering condition have the opportunity to realize their greatest purpose and potential. Bladder exstrophy is a birth defect that occurs in approximately 1 in every 30,000 births world wide. Funding for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s work comes from contributions from members, individual and corporate donors, and sponsors.
