JEDDAH — Batterjee Medical College for Science and Technology's research center has developed a program consisting of several natural and safe therapeutic methods such as hyperbaric therapy and other treatment methods that are integrated with one another. Dr. Yahya Yusuf, director of the center, explained the Integrated Regenerative Therapy Program (IRTP) would support the development of a full range of modern and natural therapeutic methods. He said: "This integrated treatment program is meant to help patients suffering from several chronic diseases, children with autism, mental disabilities and learning difficulties as well as diseases that afflict the elderly such as cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, complications of diabetes, impaired memory, strokes and other medical problems. Dr. Hassan Shaibah, BMC Dean, said the program also supports the treatment of cancer patients after surgery and during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It has also proven successful in the treatment of several autistic cases, he said. Dr. Khalid Batterjee, vice chairman of the board of trustees, said the college is committed to contributing effectively in the community to spread cultural awareness. According to Yusuf, IRTP is a completely natural therapy program that has been developed to manage a wide range of diseases and disorders, especially autism, cerebral palsy, diabetic complications and many other chronic and neurological disorders as well. For example, the program used variable natural treatment methods to manage autism by applying traditional behavioral, rehabilitation and communication therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is well established as a therapeutic method and has international acceptance as an effective treatment for many diseases. Patients enter an oxygen chamber under atmospheric pressure slightly higher than normal for many sessions across several days. After completing the course, positive results are observed in children like increased concentration, better social behavior and reduced hyperactivity in some children. Pilot studies on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in autistic children are currently under way in the college and early results are promising, said Yusuf. The importance of an optimal diet in preventing illness and maintaining wellness has been long recognized, so the research center developed an intensive nutritional mixture of completely natural elements that could have a prominent role in managing many malnutrition disorders. Furthermore, this natural method of treatment offers a number of general health benefits for many patients suffering from diabetes.
