Charity Number: 1172394
Introduction:
Spinal Care Foundation is a UK based charity registered on 04 April 2017. The charity was set up for the purpose of helping patients in underdeveloped countries with the spinal deformity such as Scoliosis, Kyphosis and other spinal disorders.
Background and current position:
Mr. Shaishav Bhagat, a Consultant Spinal Surgeon, established the charity with a strong support from Mr. Jigar Patel (Business consultant) and Miss Sarah Chu.
Shaishav qualified as an Orthopaedic surgeon back in the year 2000 from Ahmedabad, India. He came to United Kingdom in 2003 and underwent specialist training within the field of spinal surgery. During his visits to home country, India, having been in touch with various colleagues and charity hospital, he realized the need for specialist skills and overall support within the field of spinal surgery for the care of under-privileged patients with spinal deformity.
The Spinal Care Foundation was set up to receive the donations from UK and facilitate missions. Shaishav in his role as a chairman is well supported by Mrs. Suruchi Mehra (Oncology sales specialist-Regeneron) and Mr. Kumar Kumaraswami. (Senior project manager-Aviva).
The Spinal Care Foundation is on the UK register of charities. The Spinal Care Foundation is recognized by HMRC for the Gift Aid.
It is important to highlight that there are no admin costs for the SCF. There are no salaries being paid and everyone involved in running the show are contributing their time and skills without any charge.
Spinal deformity scenario in India:
Statistically, approximately 2% to 2.4% of Indians by age 16 have scoliosis.
Over the years, the spinal deformity diagnosis at best has remained poor in rural parts of India. The Spinal care foundation with the network of local charity partners actively promotes school screening programs through their rural diagnostic camps and supports the parents to come forward and benefit from appropriate medical advice.
Such patients undergo clinical assessment and investigations at the local charity hospital, known as the Health and care Foundation (HCF), based in Ahmedabad, India. (www.healthandcarefoundation.org)
The UK-India Spine surgery mission outline:
Since 2014 – 2015 every year (except for Covid19 years), HCF and Spinal Care Foundation (UK registered charity, Charity commission no: 1172394) have joined hands in organising Spinal deformity missions inviting eminent surgeons from United Kingdom and United states. A typical mission would last for approximately 5 to 7 days.
The dates for the mission are set out well in advance approximately 3 to 6 months. The HCF recruits the patients deemed suitable for the mission. The patients are triaged, investigated and prepared for the surgery.
The first day is generally a visit to the institute, introductions and settling in time for the visiting faculty. Depending on the arrival of various members of the team, approximately, the local and visiting surgeons review 80 to 100 patients. Patients are referred from all over India.
The operations start from day 2 and continue for approximately 5 days. Approximately, 8 to 10 major and 3 to 4 minor operations are done over a period of 1 week or so.
Spinal care Foundation has received tremendous response and generous support during the missions over the years. This includes but not limited to
- Medtronic: Spinal implants
- Globus: Spinal implants
- Neurophys limited: Intra-operative neurophysiology monitoring
- Mr Mushtaq: Intra-operative neurophysiology monitoring
- Donations: Patel community based in London
- Small donations from well wishers
A number of Spinal surgeons from UK and abroad have contributed their valuable time and expert skills to make the missions successful.
Typically, a case of scoliosis would cost approximately 15-20K GBP including the all the cost from diagnosis and surgery to rehab post-surgery. The costs are shared between Spinal Care Foundation and Health and care Foundation.
The service is free of charge to the patients. Importantly, all the surgeons, anaesthetists, other specialty doctors, para-medical staff and non-medical administrators involved in the care, provide their services voluntarily without any charge.
Post-surgery, the patients are given physiotherapy and occupational guidance, to enable them to pursue a suitable career and live an independent life.
The mission has been an education exchange with a number of local and national surgeons attending live surgery and course during the mission. There are facilities for the live telecast of the surgery and a hall that accommodates 200 people for symposium and lectures.
We have, so far, carried out 11 surgical missions and operated over 100 patients with spinal deformity. Please see below for the list of surgical mission dates.
Please contact us for further information.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Spinal Care Foundation: Bank details
HSBC business account
Sort code: 40-25-31
Account number: 32405660