Neuroortopaedics in South America – Bolivia MR Dr. med. Heinz Zwerina
Bolivia, the poorest country of South America has made remarkable progress in the treatment of disabled children. Local initiatives with the help of NGO like the Austrian Licht für die Welt started local centers for diagnosis and treatment. Now there are centers in more than 9 small towns. During the last years a course to educate therapists was organized by L/World and Dr Strobl. The University of Cochabamba made a Mastercourse for Diability Mangement with Austrian participation. Problems still exist in the countryside of the Chaco in the jungle or the Altiplano of 4000 m where they do not have a
functional transport system or roads with hard surface between the little villages. Licht für die Welt together with members of the Neuroorthpädischer Arbeitskreis is helping to organize Community Based Rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy supporting local organizations with know-how and money. We hope that in a few years all disabled children get access to basic diagnosis and treatment. But there is a long way until they have reached to European standards.
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