RAK hospital organises workshop on congenital deformities

Ras Al Khaimah: With an aim to educate people about congenital abnormalities that can affect the breasts and discuss treatment in both women and men, a hospital has launched a week-long awareness event, starting on Saturday.

The complimentary consultation and self-breast examination workshop at RAK Hospital will give residents the opportunity to understand the complications that can affect both young and adult women, as well as men. A few congenital and developmental abnormalities include gynaecomastia (excess breast tissue in men and boys), Poland’s Syndrome (underdevelopment or absence of the chest muscle), and amastia (absence of breast tissue).

The awareness event, part of the hospital’s community outreach programme, will be held under the guidance of Dr Punam Bijlani, clinical head, plastic and reconstructive services at the hospital.

In a media statement, she said, “Most of the time such deformities go unnoticed due to lack of awareness and as such treatment is not done at the right time. Through this programme we also aim to cover the psychological issues associated with the condition. Teens or children with such deformities tend to face social embarrassment, low self-esteem, depression and isolation from peers.”

The event will conclude on September 27.