Reconstructive surgery chapter opens
By Our Staff Reporter

Physical deformities often leads to serious psychological problems like reclusive behaviour, depression and complexes and in a country like India. The problem is indeed grave and has serious ramifications due to the economics involved in reconstructive surgery.

But all this may soon change as Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a leading NGO facilitating reconstructive surgery in the U.S., has formed an Indian associated chapter in affiliation with Dr. Ashok Gupta, plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Mumbai.

The first surgical operative camp was organised in Amravati, from October 13 to 15 where 460 persons were examined and 60 patients operated upon by specialists from India and the U.S. The deformities observed mainly were cleft of lip and palate and burns arising from physical abuse.

Fresh Start was established by Dr. Dennis Nigro in 1991 and now co-ordinates a broad base of medical and non-medical volunteers to cure deformities that are neglected by traditional health care and private insurance. It was awarded ``The President's Volunteer Action Award'' by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

``Our vision is to build a community of volunteers committed to seeing that every child with physical deformity is given the opportunity to have a positive self image thereby enriching the lives of both the giver and the receiver,'' says Dr. Sheryl Perry, President, Medical Board of Fresh Start.

According to her, what really sets this medical organisation apart is that the surgeries are followed up by necessary examinations so that the patient recuperates completely.

Source : The Hindu.