Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent form of arthritis and a leading cause of chronic disability
globally. Estimates suggest that 60% of individuals over 65 years old suffer from symptomatic
OA, and over 180 million people in India are affected by this condition. Although osteoarthritis
is curable, the treatment, which involves Total Joint Replacement surgery, is expensive and not
easily accessible.

SPARSH GURU-NAMANA was launched in 2010 with an aim to identify retired teachers who
are in need of joint replacement surgeries but are unable to undergo the surgery due to financial
constraints and lack of access to these treatments. Without these surgeries, they have difficulty
moving and they experience a notable decline in their overall quality of life. One such story is of
Arvind Kale (name changed), a 70 year old teacher for whom teaching was less of a job and
more of a purpose. After teaching for 28+ years, Mr Kale had great difficulty in walking, moving
and to even take a few stairs to reach his pension office. Similar is the story of many retired
teachers across the country. SPARSH’s Guru Namana program is aimed at helping teachers like
Mr Kale regain mobility and make them independent again. Till date, Dr Sharan Shivaraj Patil
along with his team have impacted the lives of 800+ teachers by making free joint replacement
surgeries easily accessible to those in need.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister of Medical Education and
Skill Development, Government Of Karnataka, said, “This is a commendable initiative from
SPARSH Foundation and Dr Sharan Shivaraj Patil. Knee pain and arthritis can be debilitating
and it can be overwhelming physically and emotionally. A noble gesture like this not only
improves the quality of life of the teachers but also transforms their overall health and outlook
towards life. We need more initiatives like this and I would like to encourage doctors and
healthcare institutions to come forward to adopt social impact initiatives similar to Guru
Namana”
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Sharan Shivaraj Patil, Chairman, SPARSH Hospital, said,
“Teachers are the foundation for education and good citizenship. Their role in shaping young
minds and the future of our country is invaluable. Guru Namana is an initiative to celebrate the
selfless contribution of our teachers and help those who genuinely need our support. At
SPARSH, we believe that quality healthcare and life-changing treatments like knee replacement
should be accessible to everyone, irrespective of their background and financial standing. Our
Guru Namana initiative is a step towards achieving that vision”
“Year after year, Guru Namana has garnered tremendous support and it has impacted the lives of
many. I invite the medical fraternity to join me in this campaign and make a difference in the
lives of those who need it the most. Most of us today have been fortunate enough to have access
to education, a professional career, and many other privileges, but we have not necessarily used
them to make a significant impact. We have the privilege to utilise the resources and
opportunities we have been given to make a meaningful difference in the world.” he added.

Eligible retired teachers will undergo Joint Replacement Surgeries at no cost. A dedicated team
comprising operating surgeons, theatre staff, nursing staff, paramedical staff, physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, and dieticians, all operating under the umbrella of SPARSH, will offer
their services without any fees. This also includes comprehensive post-operative care for as long
as required.

About SPARSH Foundation
Driven by a strong commitment to provide accessible world-class healthcare to underprivileged
individuals, Dr. Sharan Shivraj Patil launched the SPARSH Foundation in 2007. The foundation
is known for its two annual programs, SPARSH VACHANA and GURU NAMANA, which aim
to transform the lives of those in need.
For more details, visit: sparsh-foundation.org