🚀 go-pugleaf

This is a description of a non-profit operation in support of Cerebral Palsy
Clinics in Russia and the former FSU.

Although the United States is the leader in the advancement of CP study and
in development of creative approaches in study, diagnostics and
rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy, a number of institutions
abroad may be of significant contributing potential to the US medicine.  One
of such is the G. I. Turner Institute of Child Orthopaedics and Traumatology
in St. Petersburg, Russia, the 100-year old key center for CP treatment in
pre-Soviet and contemporary Russia.

The G. I. Turner Institute of Child Orthopedics and Traumatology is a key
source in Russia for research, coordination and development in
rehabilitation of orthopedic patients throughout the country.  Founded in
late XIX century as a hospital for disabled children, the Institute formed
its principles and tradition on Dr. Genrich I. Turner's idea of necessity of
a complex approach to orthopedic patients, combining surgery, neurology,
psychology and physiotherapy.  This view, currently recognized worldwide,
has become a cornerstone for over 100-year activity of the Institute, that
now consists of 10 clinics specializing in bone, foot and hand  pathology,
spinal pathology, systemic disorders and cerebral palsy.  The Institute has
been summoned by the Russian government to provide emergency medical
assistance to Chechen children during the recent polio outbreak.  Some of
the Institute's senior specialists have been relocated to Grozny, where they
carried on their duties in spite of the street fighting.

In October-November of 1995, Dr. Alexander P. Kutuzov, Chief of Cerebral
Palsy Clinic of the G.I Turner Institute,  has visited the United States in
the Washington Metropolitan area.  Dr. Kutuzov has  dedicated himself to the
treatment of Cerebral Palsy for over 20 years as a pediatric surgeon and a
scientist.  He was the first doctor to respond to the Chechnya summons.

Dr. Kutuzov had had an opportunity to meet with a number of CP professionals
in the Washington Metropolitan area, including Dr. Steven Schiff of the
Children's National Medical Center in the District of Columbia, Dr. Gary
Silberstein of Johns Hopkins Medical Center (Kennedy Krieger Center), Dr.
Deborah Hirtz of the National Institutes of Health, and with other
specialists whose work is related to CP treatment.  During the meetings, it
was acknowledged that the possible cooperation of medical institutions in
Russia and the United States may be of significant value to all CP patients,
as such cooperation offers a wider exploration field, opportunities to
exchange clinical experience, as well as to conduct mutual studies ranging
from surgical and neurosurgical treatment to experimental drug therapy.

Dr. Kutuzov's visit has been self-financed and conducted during his unpaid
leave, therefore considerable restrictions have not allowed further progress
of the aforementioned  discussion.  All of the listed US institutions are
willing to schedule additional meetings and practice sessions including
surgical, and have expressed their interest in further development of these
relations.  However, it will take at least one more visit of the Russian
specialists to the US in order to formally develop and substantiate these
relations.  Some US doctors, such as Dr. Silberstein, are also willing to
travel to Russia, in order to conduct combined CP sessions.

Such efforts are likely to produce an outstanding step in the CP treatment
worldwide, combining  reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery and conservative
treatment advances of over 100 years of separate national experiences.
However, the efforts are unlikely to be supported by the Russian government
at this time, except granting permission to freely exchange any medical
knowledge and practices by the Russian specialists.  The US public and
private funding mechanisms mostly provide support in case of existing
ongoing projects.

On behalf of all participants of the 1995 meetings, I would like to ask for
your organization's assistance in order to make the further progress
possible.  Please, feel free to request any additional materials or
proposals regarding this project, or any contact numbers in the US and
Russia.  Your investment may be of significant benefit to all patients
suffering from Cerebral Palsy.

For any further information or to discuss possible funding or cooperation,
please contact me at the following numbers or address:

Alex K. Gorbachev
International Project Coordinator
GIST/GCI
116 Thomas Road, Suite 100
Glen Burnie, Maryland 21060

tel. (410) 761-9895
fax (410) 760-0367
Internet e-mail:  gist@cris.com