HARDSHIP suffered by polio survivors who are now experiencing late effects of the disease was highlighted by the Post Polio Support Group at a weekend conference in Sligo.
There are about 7,500 polio survivors in the State and more than half of them will contract post polio syndrome.
The last major polio epidemic hit Ireland in the mid-1950s but the disease is virtually unheard of in the developed world since widespread vaccination began more than 40 years ago.
The late effects of polio include muscle and joint pain, difficulty in walking, constant fatigue and severe intolerance to the cold. Some survivors find they have to go back in wheelchairs or use crutches, years after they believed they had put the illness behind them. There is no known cure for the syndrome.
Speaking at the conference, Hugh Hamilton, chairman of the Post Polio Support Group said people with post polio syndrome had a great need for a speedy diagnosis of their condition; proper planning for their treatment and care; and good quality, locally-based healthcare.
Some people have waited up to 18 months for an appointment to have their condition diagnosed, he said.
"Polio survivors are highly dependent on healthcare providers because of the nature of their medical conditions and it is so important that the right care is provided at the right time," Mr Hamilton said.
"Only about one in three polio survivors have medical cards so the cost of healthcare is a huge burden for them."
The conference also heard calls on the Government to provide neuromuscular multi-disciplinary centres of excellence in the diagnosis, management and treatment of the syndrome.
The support group believes people with the late effects of polio should have an automatic entitlement to a medical card and other social benefits because of the hardship they suffered with the disease.
Many people with post polio syndrome are on low incomes because they cannot continue full-time work.
They are also seeking the free fuel allowance because they are more sensitive to cold and have called for grants to allow them to adapt their homes so that they can live independently.
Membership of the Post Polio Support Group has been increasing by more than 10 per cent a year recently as people began to feel the effects of the illness.
The conference was opened by Minister of State at the Department of Health, Jimmy Devins, who said that the work of the Post Polio Support Group had helped to improve the quality of life for many polio survivors and their families.
