National survey on multiple sclerosis

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33857, 31 May 1975, Page 17

National survey on multiple sclerosis

A national survey into the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand will probably be begun in the next 12 months by the New Zealand National Multiple Sclerosis Society, according to Mrs E. Tombleson, the recentlyelected president of the society. Mrs Tombleson was thi National member of Parlia ment for Gisborne from 1960 72 She was a founder of th< Multiple Sclerosis Society II years ago and has been < member of the nationa executive committee ant vice-president >ince 1968. “We have to have t nationa) prevalence survey because most doctors an reluctant to tell their patient: they have the comolaint anc so there is an absence ol statistics.” she said. Multiple sclerosis was a neuro-muscular diseasr caused by a breakage in the insulation around the nervous svstem, leading to varying degrees of lack of coordination. Nothing was known as to its cause or cure, and it was very difficult to diagnose. "A number of prevalence surveys have been undertaken overseas, but none have been successful,” said Mrs Tombleson. “But we have a small population and it should be easier for us to do than for most other countries.” HIGH COST She said that such a survey would cost a lot of monev — she had no idea how much — and would need the full co-operation of the eight local societies in New Zealand, the medical profession, and various Government departments. It might involve calling in an overseas neurologist, and some secretarial staff would be needed. “We know we have between 1500 and 2000 sufferers in New Zealand, but we are certain there are many more we do not know about. “We receive no funds from the Government and, in fact, we are the largest nongovernment funded body of our type in the country.” said Mrs Tombleson. “We will probably approach the Intern- ional Multiple Sclerosis Society for funds first but, if they cannot help ns, we will approach the Government.” The society has four projects for this year, of which

Mrs Tombleson described me survey as the major one. But the society will also .be approaching the Government for clarification of a (Section within the recent Budget dealing with care of the handicapped. This section said:— 'The burden of caring for severely disabled children can Place great physical and mental strain on their parents. The Government has decided to assist such parents by meeting the cost of alternative care for up to four weeks a year. The Minister of Social Welfare will introduce draft legislation later this session to provide for this measure.” Mrs Tombleson said that the society was hoping this section would help it because the parents of multiple sclerosis patients were just as much in need of such assistance as other parents. The third p'roiect of the society would also involve an anproach to the Government The increase in petrol prices announced in the Budget ereatlv increased the costs met by local socieiies in employing part-time field officers who drove considerable distances to discover new sufferers and to help them. “These field officers must be exempt from the new price or their work will b° greatly curtailed because of, the extra expense.” she said. MEET SOCIETIES Mrs Tombleson’s fourth] project is to meet all eight local societies — Auckland.: Waikato. Manawatu. Welling-' ton. North Canterbury. South! Canterbury. Otago and South-j land — and to form new' societies. Northland, Taranaki, tbfe East Coast. Hawke’s Bay. Nelson. Marlborough and the West Coast do not have local societies, but she said that

(Hawke’s Bay and MarlI borough were showing (interest in starting. ’ Mrs Tombleson said that I the society’s main task was to cater for the problems of .patients, but it was also working with the ne rrological (foundation .in the field of •research. “When a multiple sclerosis I patient requires hospital treatment, the hopsitals often find it a great problem in •knowing what ward to put (them in,” she said. ’They often end up in the • geriatric ward, where they (are staying with an almost (entirely different age group. • but, in fact, the multiple (sclerosis patient is generally a young or middle-aged person. “I would like to see all hospitals set up neurological wards when building new hospitals or. failing that, putting multiple sclerosis patients in with paraplegics and people like that.” said Mrs Tombleson. “Placing them in the wrong ward or with the wrong age group can have a debilitating effect on the patient.”