The Spina Bifida Awareness Week Symposium was carried out at Bezmialem Vakıf University, in order to create an awareness towards Spina Bifida, which means "separated or open spine". Our executives, academicians and health personnel attended the symposium.
Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Ahmet Belce who carried out a speech at the symposium, spoke as, "If expectant mothers have sufficient folic acid in their blood before conception; spina bifida can be prevented significantly." Prof. Dr. Ahmet Belce, who defined spina bifida as a very common inborn illness where the spine partially protrudes from the skull to the tailbone", continued as, "The spinal cord, which is vital for our body, runs through the separate spine. Any damage that were to occur in the spine along with spina bifida, would result in paralysis. The main reason for holding this meeting is that spina bifida is highly preventable. The prevention is highly based on folic acid. Expectant mothers must visit a doctor to find out if they have insufficient folic acid." Prof. Dr. Ahmet Belce, who indicated that the rest of the world carries out certain preventative procedures for spina bifida and that Turkey must be a part of this process, ended his speech by quoting, " Other 58 other countries like Canada, Brasil, England and Japan formed spina bifida prevention programmes. Spina Bifida has decreased significantly in many countries."
After the opening speech which Prof. Dr. H. Nilgün Gürses carried out, the following carried out their presentations at the symposium ; Uzm. Dr. Aysel Gürcan Atçı with ""Diagnosis and Surveillance in Spina Bifida", Prof. Dr. Ahmet Belce with "Can Spina Bifida Be Prevented?" , Uzm. Fzt. Müberra Tanrıverdi with "Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Evaluation in Spina Bifida", Uzm. Fzt. Büşra Kepenek Varol with " Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Approaches in Spina Bifida", Uzm. Fzt. Elif Durgut with "Current Approaches in Rehabilitation with Spina Bifida", Prof. Dr. A. Birol Gülman with " Orthopedic Approaches within Spina Bifida", Uzm. Dr. Meliha Gündağ with " Neurosurgical Approaches in Spina Bifida ", Uzm. Fzt. Deniz "Tuncer with "Orthesis and aiding equipment in Spina Bifida", Psk. Simona Mirella Falticeanu with "Physchologic Counselling for Parents of Children with Spina Bifida", Turkey Spina Bifida Association İstanbul Head of Branch Mustafa Koçoğlu with "The Problems Patients and Families Face and Solution Offers".
