Dysphagia core group, a first of it’s kind in India has been formed in Bangalore. The group aims to help manage dysphagia – difficulty in swallowing , which is very common in Covid patients in the best possible way.
“The aim of the dysphagia core group is to improve the nutritional aspect thereby improving quality of life of an individual affected by dysphagia. This core group adapts multi and interdisciplinary approach to achieve the same” said, Dr. B. S. Premalatha, Professor, In-charge of Dysphagia clinic at Dr. S. R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore.
Dysphagia very common in Covid patients:
Dysphagia – difficulty in swallowing , is very common in Covid patients, those suffering from neurological disorders, head and neck cancer and all geriatrics patients. According to a member of the team, the group will be divided into working committees based on 4 zones- North, South, East and West. The working committee will have multidisciplinary members of doctors dietitians speech language pathologists and academicians. The committee will strive to design protocols and share knowledge to work as a team in their centres to tackle dysphagia.
This is a unique platform where all the interdisciplinary members have formed a team to help persons with dysphagia and to prevent malnutrition” said, Sreemathy Venkatraman, Executive Director, Dysphagia Core Group. “I congratulate IAPEN Bangalore chapter for launching Dysphagia Core group. It is a great step in helping patients suffering from swallowing disorders. I wish them success in achieving their mission and vision” said, Dr Chamania, National President, IAPEN India.