UAE- Children's National Medical Centre shares innovative insights in the treatment and diagnosis of cerebral palsy at Latifa Hospital

DUBAI 3rd May 2016 (WAM) -- A multi disciplinary team consisting of a paediatric physiatrist paediatric occupational therapist and paediatric physical therapist from the Children's National Medical Centre home to the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Paediatric Surgical Innovation in Washington D.C has conducted a week-long training programme on the contemporary treatment and diagnosis of children with cerebral palsy in the UAE. Hosted by Latifa Hospital in Dubai the training attracted attendance from more than 20 physical and occupational therapists as well as physical therapy students from Sharjah University.

The specialised medical training programme featured a range of lectures and practical hands-on laboratory sessions covering an overview of cerebral palsy spasticity management and differential diagnosis upper extremity and lower extremity casting and splinting gait analysis and orthotic approaches. The programme also featured sessions on frequency approaches and treatment organisation and planning including a review of neuro-developmental treatment and sensory integration and insights into emerging treatments and innovations. A theme throughout the week was prioritisation of therapeutic treatment options and advanced clinical decision making to maximise the benefit for the child.

Kurt Newman MD President and Chief Executive Officer of Children's National said "We at the Children's National Medical Centre are proud to continue playing a role in supporting the UAE's efforts to build an innovative healthcare culture by sharing knowledge on imaginative approaches to paediatric care. Through this comprehensive programme which combined theoretical and practical training in the lab Children's National worked closely with Latifa Hospital to build capacities among occupational and physical therapists in the UAE. We're delighted to have played a role in helping Latifa Hospital bring expertise that will play a key role in improving the lives of children with cerebral palsy across the country."

Dr. Muna Tahlak CEO of Latifa Hospital also welcomed this collaboration between the DHA and Children's National Medical Centre saying "We have an excellent team at Latifa Hospital for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. We believe in continuous improvement and collaboration with pioneers in this field. We are thankful and honoured to have experts from Children's National visit us and reinforce good practices ensuring advancement in this extremely important area. Our vision is to improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy and to maximise their capabilities so they can live comfortably at home and in their community."

The programme was led by Physiatrist Dr. Sally Evans Division Chief Paediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Children's National Physical Therapist Catherine Larsen Coley and Occupational Therapist Randi Simenson.

Based in Washington DC Children's National is home to the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation which was launched in September 2009 thanks to a US$150 million gift from the government of Abu Dhabi. Children's National has been serving children since 1870 and was ranked among the top 10 paediatric hospitals by U.S. News and World Report 2015-16.