New hope for children with Hydrocephalus

The Bulgarian Ministry of Health has announced a change in policy for the treatment of children with hydrocephalus which brings new hope for children in need of life-changing operations.

Current statistics suggest over 120 children are growing up in institutional care with untreated hydrocephalus.  Hydrocephalus is a medical condition which causes the build-up of fluid inside the skull and stops the brain from developing normally. It can be treated surgically by placing a cerebral shunt to drain the fluid and release the pressure. If left untreated, the condition is severely painful and is likely to be fatal.

 
Until now the Bulgarian state would meet the costs of surgery but the costs of the shunts, which can reach up to £3000, had to be met by the family of a child with the condition. This meant that families with low income often had to place their children in institutions, where - due to the limited funds of the institution - the child could still not get treatment. Thanks to this intervention by the Ministry of Health, these children should now receive treatment.

The Association of Parents of Children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Bulgaria raised awareness of the need for ongoing support and care for the children. Nadia Shabani, Chair of the State Agency for Child Protection, added: "The fund will support children in both institutions and families. It is important that this information should get to as many families as possible."