Healthcare for children with Down syndrome

Dear Supporters,

Individuals with Down syndrome have additional healthcare needs and this quarter we continued to support their needs and made healthcare accessible by hosting multiple clinics and camps. Your generous donations have helped to us ensure every child at KDSP gets an equal chance at a happy, healthy life. Some of the highlights from this quarter:

Behavior Therapy

KDSP’s Behavior therapy team successfully observed over 48 children. The team identified a tool that could be used for further assessment of children with behavioral difficulties. Lastly, the team set the criteria a child needed to meet before getting enrolled in behavioral therapy. Following their contribution, this quarter KDSP got on board an RBT making it possible for us to offer one on one behavior therapy sessions, classroom and therapy observations, and parent assessments.

General Pediatric Clinics

The general pediatric clinic was created to cater to the numerous general health concerns of individuals with Down syndrome through onsite consultations, thorough clinical checkups and follow-up appointments:

• 13 children benefitted from Dr. Razi’s clinic who works as Senior Clinical Instructor in Child Life Found Graduated from Sindh Medical College (DUHS).
• 33 children benefitted from Dr. Sidra’s clinic in November, a renowned Developmental Pediatrician.
• 11 families benefitted from a clinic in October with Dr. Salman (Director and Chair of Healthcare committee at KDSP, a Clinical Geneticist and Pediatric Endocrinologist, and also leads the Division of Women & Child Health at the Aga Khan University Hospital).
• 4 children benefitted from Dr. Anookhi’s clinic (Apple Tree Practice). The Apple Tree Practice was created to deliver top quality healthcare for all families holistically. Following their practice as the ‘The Pediatric Pod’ in Houston, they decided to bring that level of quality of care to Karachi as the Apple Tree practice. The clinic also introduced well baby and child checks which require specialists to review the growth and development of a child.

Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Eye Camp

Over 25 children benefitted from Aga Khan University Hospital Eye Camp in November by Dr. Irfan. Considering the persistence of eye issues in children with Down syndrome the camp benefitted all those that needed to have their concerns addressed by ophthalmologists. 

Alvi Dental Camp

5 children benefitted from the dental camp in October and 2 children were further referred to orthopedic specialists. Following this camp, KDSP signed an MoU with Alvi Dental which allowed our children to avail free consultations and special discounts on numerous services. 

Story 

Halima is a 10-month-old girl with Down syndrome currently registered with KDSP. She is currently on the waitlist for all three early childhood intervention therapies. After multiple consultations and an ECHO to identify Halima’s heart condition, Dr. Saleem at AKUH recommended an angiography. KDSP, along with AKUH welfare, sponsored Halima’s angiography. The angiography went well and Halima is in good health.

Thank you,

Love,

Team KDSP