Symposium Tackles Cerebral Palsy Management and Role of Orthotics 

Bahawalpur, April 05, 2025 – On Saturday the Tahseen Ahmad Cheema Institute (TACI) buzzed with anticipation as over 100 orthopedic surgeons from across Punjab gathered for a landmark event: the Symposium on the Management of Cerebral Palsy in Orthopedics. Held in collaboration with the Society of Pediatric Orthopedic Association (SPOA) and the Orthopedics Complex at Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), this day-long symposium brought together some of the brightest minds in the field to share knowledge, spark dialogue, and address pressing challenges in treating cerebral palsy (CP).

Under the esteemed chairmanship of Professor Dr. Tahseen Ahmad Cheema, a titan in orthopedic surgery and president of the Orthopaedics Association of Pakistan, the event showcased a powerhouse faculty. Alongside Prof. Cheema, luminaries like Prof. Atta Ullah Mazhar, Prof. M. Rafiq Sabir, Prof. Javed Iqbal, delivered insights drawn from decades of experience. The symposium wasn’t just a meeting of minds—it was a call to action for better care and collaboration.

The session kicked off with a warm welcome from coordinators Prof. M. Javaid Khan and Associate Prof. Dr. Kashif Ramay, who set the tone for a deeply informative and human-centered discussion. Chief organizer Prof. Naseer A. Ch, supported by organizers , ensured the event ran seamlessly.

A standout moment came when Prosthetist and Orthotist, Mr. Muhammad Aftab took the stage, shining a spotlight on a critical yet often overlooked issue: the role of unqualified “laymen technicians” in providing low quality orthotics for CP patients and Mal practice. With passion and precision, Aftab urged orthopedic surgeons to distinguish between qualified orthoprosthetists and untrained technicians before recommending devices. “It’s not just about the prescription—it’s about the patient’s life,” he emphasized, earning nods of agreement from the audience. His plea underscored the symposium’s broader mission: to bridge gaps in expertise and elevate patient outcomes. Orthotist Prosthetist Ms. Areej and Mr. Aftab also showcased different Orthotics and explained their functions to the participants.

The event drew a diverse crowd, from cutting-edge orthopedic techniques to practical strategies for managing CP’s lifelong challenges, the faculty covered it all—blending clinical rigor with a palpable sense of empathy for the children and families they serve. For a young surgeon in attendance, the symposium was a revelation. “Hearing Prof. Cheema and worthy speakers , I realized how much more we can do when we work as a team—surgeons, Orthotists, physiotherapists , everyone,” he shared . Others echoed his sentiment, praising the event’s focus on real-world application over textbook theory.

It wasn’t just a gathering of Punjab’s orthopedic elite—it was a step toward a future where cerebral palsy care is more precise, collaborative, and compassionate. At the end of this session, the message was clear: the fight for better management of CP is far from over, but today, it gained powerful momentum.