NEWS

Mohsin and Auntie Kay's Summer of 2006!


Once it became obvious that the UK was going to be prohibitively expensive (a minimum £34,000) for Mohsin's spinal operation we had to look elsewhere. The Taj Medical Group UK put us in touch with Dr Yash Gulati at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi. Dr Gulati said he could perform the spinal surgery Mohsin required to stop the progress of his deformity and hopefully help him to lead a normal life. The total cost, including travel, hotel accommodation, 4 months daily physiotherapy as well as all medical costs, would be less than 1/5 of the UK price!

Jill Adams worked manfully to get Mohsin's visa for India within a record 4 days! Adolph Soares worked wonders in booking tickets for us to go to Delhi and, even more important, to get us back as soon as Dr Gulati allowed.

The Apollo Hospital is a very impressive place, a bit like the Aga Khan Hospital to look at and just as busy. Mohsin was on the 5th Floor in his own private room, shared only with Auntie Kay! The room was light and airy with en-suite shower room, French windows, telephone, TV and air-conditioning. Auntie Kay had her own very comfortable sofa-bed and Mohsin had a state of the art hospital bed. The room was cleaned up to three times a day and linen changed daily or more often if needed. The cleanliness could not be faulted.

Mohsin's medical treatment was exceptional. He was having tests within 2 hours of arrival and had his operation just 2 days later. The doctors and nurses were all extremely friendly and efficient. No way would Mohsin ever have received the level of care and attention in the UK that the Apollo staff showered on him (judging from my experience of the UK Health Service both private and NHS in the past 5 years). His progress was carefully monitored by Dr Gulati and his team at all times.

18th July 2006,  the day of operation

This photo was a couple of days after operation

Mohsin and his physiotherapist, Ravi

Mohsin and his surgeon, Mr Yash Gulati

The food was very good and Mohsin's dietician visited every day to attend to any special requests. Mohsin looked very healthy by the time he left the Apollo! The daily physiotherapy helped to boost Mohsin's confidence so by the time he was discharged he was once again walking unaided, in spite of the brace which he has to wear for the next 4 months.

The last 4 days in Delhi were spent at the Hotel Savoia which was booked for us by Taj Medical Group. It was small, friendly and very modern. Mohsin thoroughly enjoyed his stay here, especially as the choice of TV programmes was even greater than that in the Apollo!

Mohsin was pleased to be back at SOS and his "family" had organised a lovely Welcome Home party for him. I have appointed a physiotherapist to give him as much exercise as possible daily for the next 4 months in an effort to strengthen his leg muscles. Mohsin is also the proud owner of a new blue bike, with stabilisers, as part of his exercise regime. I hope when I return in November to see Mohsin with stronger legs and walking. Everyone in Delhi was so impressed by his courage and cheerful smile and Auntie Kay couldn't have asked for a braver or better behaved boy to spend so much time with.

Welcome Home to SOS Village

Mohsin and his new blue "exercise" bike!

Thanks to those friends who donated money to help pay for Mohsin's treatment. It means that he has a chance of a normal life and ALF funds can be kept for the running of our Medical Centre at the SOS Village.