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This World Parkinson’s day…it is important to understand the nature of the disease and to understand as to why the same may be considered a disability in India as per the provisions of The Rights of People with Disabilities Act,2016.

Through this post let us delve into the basics of the disease and also understand as to why the same is a disability. Further, let us understand as to when can the certificate for disability be obtained for people with the disease. Further, let us understand the role that health-care establishments play in obtaining the said certificate and what compliances they must follow while doing the same.

Parkinson’s Disease (“PD”) is a “degenerative disease” affecting the brain. It is important to understand that degenerative diseases are a group of disorders which result from progressive and premature death of nerve cells in the brain. In this particular disease, the nerve cells which are affected predominantly control and are concerned with the posture of the body and its movement. Patients with this disease are thus often seen displaying symptoms such as tremor, slowness of activities, stiffness of limbs, loss of balance and difficulty to walk etc.

As the disease is a chronic disease which progresses with time and severely affects and impairs the motor functions of the body, it is very important to classify the said disease as a disability.

In order to attain a disability certificate which entitles the person to several benefits as has been promised and envisaged under the scope, ambit and provisions of The Rights of People with Disabilities Act,2016; the person must ensure that the statutory requirements are complied with and all conditions are met with before-hand in order to ensure that no complications are met with at a later stage and the disability certificate is obtained in the smoothest manner.

However, as far as Parkinson’s Disease is concerned, obtaining a proper disability certificate often becomes an issue as no guidelines are present to measure and evaluate the motor functioning in Parkinson’s disease. The same has acted against the interests of the Patients with the disease and many Patients who are in strict need and requirement of the said certificate are denied the certificate which in turn shall help them in their waking lives. This problem, though unaddressed is highly important to consider as it affects the rights of a significant members of the population.

This is where health-care establishments can step up. It must be ensured that every neurological establishment also employs a motor specialist. Further, scales such as Hoehn & Yahr (H & Y) scale and Unifed Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) assessments must be used more commonly.

Further, Sensitization and orientation of district hospital medical board members for administering functionality assessment (disability) scales for Parkinson’s disease must be done.

The health-care establishment and its staff must be extremely vigilant and ensure that proper care is rendered by them when Patients do visit them. It is important to help out the Patients who are already suffering.

If you are a heath-care establishment that requires assistance with proper strategy-making and to deploy proper evaluative tactics or if you need help with strategy making and deployment of manpower along with proper book-keeping and record maintenance…contact us at +9307482224

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