As children’s obesity levels in Ireland continues to rise, the HSE is beginning preparations for the introduction of weight-loss surgery for children.
The HSE is planning to allow gastric band surgery to be performed on children and teenagers in the new National Children’s Hospital to cope with the obesity problem in this country.
At present, a number of children have been sent to the UK for paediatric bariatric surgery which can either reduce the size of the stomach or fit a gastric band to reduce their appetite.
Experts say it is a demand that our health service is currently not meeting and the introduction of the procedure is a step towards reducing obesity levels.
The HSE’s lead for obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea says that there needs to be a focus on the worrying obesity statistics among Irish children.
“It is a requirement that we are not meeting at the moment,” he told the Irish Independent.
“Part of my job as HSE lead for obesity is to make sure that we have access to appropriate treatment, and that includes for children.”
He went on to say that many children’s hospitals have had to upgrade their equipment in operating rooms to deal with the increasing weight of children they are operating on.
It is expected that once the procedure is introduced in the National Children’s Hospital, up to 30 will be performed each year.
