Page 120 - RY2020-21 Handbook Rotary District 3300

DISTRICT ACTION GROUP ON SPINA BIFIDA AND HYDROCEPHALUS
(DASH)

District 3300 Action Group
on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (DASH)

Who We Are?
The DASH was inaugurated in August 2018 and was set up primarily to spearhead the campaign of awareness on Neural Tube Defects with a particular emphasis
on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. It is to bring likeminded Rotarians together to look into the interest of children and adults with Spina Bifida and its related disorders through
practical and meaningful projects. This includes embarking on a strategy to reduce the incidence of Spina Bifida by a national awareness campaign for fortification of
foods with Folic Acid and to enhance livelihoods of people with Spina Bifida by training parents, volunteers and health professionals in early intervention strategies
and the best approach to care.
Our Objectives
a) To create Awareness of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus throughout the district by organising Conferences, Workshops, Talks & Lectures from Time to Time
in partnership with the Spina Bifida Association of Malaysia and other like-minded organisations.
b) To create awareness in the general public about the prevention of Spina Bifida and especially about the importance of consuming sufficient folic acid before and during
pregnancy.
c) To offer a platform for people with Spina Bifida and their loved ones to obtain relevant
information on disease management.
d) To organise a cluster of expertise, including parents, volunteers and medical personnel within the district who will be available on a call basis to respond to new SB
cases and to educate young mothers and fathers on how to improve care, treatment and quality of life for their loved ones.
e) To connect with other rotary districts globally and develop SB as a Rotary Focus Area so as to promote measures to reduce the incidence of Spina Bifida.
f) Work collaboratively so that best practices in care management, medical treatment and resources can be shared amongst the global Spina Bifida community.
g) To actively seek funding for and coordinate projects that are made available to individuals with Spina Bifida (and their families).
h) To engage in advocacy in matters related to Neural Tube Defects both with Government and private institutions including in schools and medical centres.
Partners and Alliances
To work close with the Spina Bifida Association of Malaysia and to enhance the partnership on
a year to year basis
To engage with the International Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalous Federation to take the awareness campaign globally through the rotary movement
To develop links with Asian and Global organizations with similar objectives.

RY2020-21 District Handbook 120