Spastic Society Site Visit
Done by: Dr. Padmanava Sen () – Asha Bangalore volunteer
Date: April 29, 2016
Details:
I have called Dr Hema from Spastic Society on the same day and reached the Spastic society main campus at Indiranagar, Bangalore around 3 pm. The diagnostic center was running in full swing. I went upstairs in the Research and Training cell. I met Mrs Priya Rao, Associate director who is with Spastic society for around 30 years. They gave me a brief history of Spastic Society.
Dr Hema showed me the login interface they run for each child registered for diagnostics and how they follow up with them through their many sub centers across Bangalore and beyond. They do the diagnostics for 400-500 children in their main campus, but the total reaches 4000+ including their centers in other areas like Ramnagara, Harohalli, Kolar and Indira Gandhi Institute of child health.
Dr Hema shared with me some sample forms and reports of specific issues among children diagnosed. They have many doctors in campus who decide on the actions after a preliminary diagnosis. The cost is around 2000 for the preliminary check-ups. After their consultation, it is much easier to get a disability Card from Karnataka Government which enables them to get concession in public transport and many other areas. Depending on their BPL (below poverty line) status the children can get additional scholarships from government to continue their education. The disability cards are issued from Victoria Hospital, Bowring hospital and Lehman hospital (for autistic children) in Bangalore.
I collected the forms and met their unit where the parents and children are consulted first. Depending on the history and background, they consult the parents for the next plan of action (diagnosis etc). The same unit guides them to get the disability card as well. I met two very senior doctors and took some snaps of their therapy rooms as well.
Apart from this center, Spastic society runs a school of around 400 students. The school is closed in May and reopen in June 1st week. The children need special care and two school buses operate to bring them to the campus daily within a 60 km radius. It is registered under open school system and the age of beneficiary varies from 10 to 25 years. They also guide them for higher education after Class 10th as well train them for vocational training wherever required. For future placements, they partnership with multiple NGOs including ENABLE India.
I talked about the proposal for Asha which to support the diagnosis of 250-300 children in their main center at 1000/person. Since mostly parents come from marginalized background, they only ask for donations which do not cover even 20% of the costs in cases. Asha for Education’s support will help them to cover the deficit. Other than that, they also run a program for support of the children in their school where donors can support 20000 to 30000 Rs/ year as the cost goes up to 45000/ year including therapy and consultation charges. I was very impressed by the work Spastic society has been doing for many children from under-privileged background and guiding them in life.
Entrance of the Diagnostic Centre, Spastic Society
List of Doctors in the Center
The front door of the Center
Wall paintings near the entrance of Diagnostic Center
Therapy Room
Therapy/exercise room (they was a trampoline as well)
The school building in Spastic Society campus
School buses for commute