Article

Rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury in many low- and middle-income
countries is not avail-able or is in the early stages of development. However,
rehabilitation is recognized as crucial in order to optimize functional recovery
and outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury. With an increasing incidence
of spinal cord injury, the unmet need for rehabilitation is huge. This report
describes the early development of a specialist rehabilitation service for spinal
cord injury in Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world. The
sustained input to an expanding rehabilitation team has led to reductions in
avoidable complications. The input of the rehabilitation team has been welcomed
by the neurosurgery department, which has recognized fewer delays in patients
undergoing surgical treatments. Cost, lack of resources and trained staff, and
poor understanding of disability continue to provide challenges. However, the
development of the rehabilitation service using low technology, but with a high
level of knowledge and systematic management, is a source of considerable pride.
This development in Madagascar can be regarded as a model for spinal cord injury
rehabilitation in other low-resource settings.

Langue : ANGLAIS