Lack of adequate care post spinal cord injury - a case report

INTRODUCTION: Health needs of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are unmet in developing countries. Quality of life of these individuals is not on par with global standards. The decline in quality of life can be attributed to lack of a specialised rehabilitation centres, lack of expertise in local hospitals and lack of access to dedicated SCI wards/centres in India. The present case report depicts many such challenges in India. CASE PRESENTATION: As part of an online focus group, A 21-year-old male was identified who sustained SCI in motor vehicle. His care was inappropriate at the accident site. He was not taught basic skills such as bed mobility, transfers, and wheel-chair mobility and was not educated about long-term complications before discharged to home. Lack of training made him functionally dependent on others for his basic needs. There were few job opportunities for him in his state. He strongly emphasises the need to create an awareness regarding SCI among the general public in India. DISCUSSION: This case report depicts many challenges faced by a person with paraplegia in India. These include mishandling at the accident site, lack of adequate care post injury and lack of follow-up post discharge. In addition, lack of knowledge of SCI among the general public and lack of education regarding SCI for the patient and his care givers post injury are reported.