Collaborative Effort to Help 4,000 Children Return to School in Nagpur A pioneering initiative in Nagpur, launched in 2003, has enabled over 4,000 children from Vidarbha to return to school by addressing physical deformities that hindered their mobility. The collaboration between the education department and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Sushrut Babhulkar began as a response to a gap identified during a routine education survey. The survey revealed that many children were dropping out of school not only due to poverty or academic struggles but also because of treatable physical conditions that limited their ability to move freely. These conditions, such as post-polio deformities and cerebral palsy contractures, often led to social stigma and bullying, pushing students to abandon their education. Education official Mahesh Karajgaonkar, who was then overseeing Maharashtra’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) program, sought a solution to ensure no child was excluded from education due to physical barriers. Karajgaonkar approached Dr. Babhulkar, who had returned to Nagpur after practicing in the UK. Dr. Babhulkar proposed a screening process to identify children requiring surgical intervention, rehabilitation, and post-operative care. The initiative aimed to address mobility issues, allowing students to attend school and participate in daily activities. The program’s early success was marked by the treatment of over 3,000 students between 2003 and 2010. The state government covered costs for post-surgery care, medication, and rehabilitation, while Dr. Babhulkar conducted screening camps in government schools and his hospital. Karajgaonkar’s efforts continued even after his transfer, with PP Nikas taking over the initiative.#nagpur #vidarbha #dr_sushrut_babhulkar #mahesh_karajgaonkar #matru_sewa_sangh
