The mission of OSS (Operation Straight Spine) is to assist in the treatment and care of the children or adults in the developing nations who suffer from injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system such as spinal or limb deformities, cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders. High prevalence of musculoskeletal deformity in many countries esp. in children, can be a major source of emotional and socio-economic stress for a family. Spinal deformities can lead to misery, physical disability and loss of independence. OSS outreach program is developed to maintain a recognised spinal treatment service in a developing nation for those underprivileged children who otherwise cannot afford or have access to modern spinal or musculoskeletal surgical services.

Operation Straight Spine (OSS) was conceived in 2002 by two Orthopedic spinal surgeons, Dr. Jeff McConnell, MD  from USA & Dr. Ujjwal K Debnath, MS(Orth), FRCSGlasg, FRCS (Tr & Orth), DM(Orth) from UK & India.  Since 2006, the ongoing project called ‘Operation Straight Spine” (OSS), has been providing spinal surgical camps in local hospitals in West Bengal and around India. The cost of healthcare in the country is a deterrent for many, and for those hailing from economically weak backgrounds, it is almost beyond reach, especially if the treatment warrants hospitalization, surgery or expensive treatments. In order to reach the unreached in the indigenous rural and semi urban population with spinal and musculoskeletal problems, a global outreach program in spinal surgery i.e. OSS was first developed in India. This was endorsed by Scoliosis Research Society, USA.

Currently, OSS project is a registered charity providing surgical and medical care for children with musculoskeletal diseases in the underprivileged in India esp. Eastern India. The charity funding is used to finance treatment in a hospital based facility. The charity arranges equipment, instruments and implants for carrying out successful surgeries in children, adolescents and adults. The charity arranges teams consisting of specialist surgeons, nurses and other operating room personnel based abroad for the annual surgical camps. Regular clinics and surgical procedures are undertaken by the UK, USA, Europe and India based qualified surgeons and nurses. The surgeons and nurses in the team train medical professionals and raise the standard of care in the region. 

Social Impact: Scoliosis can affect a child's body image, but feelings of anxiety, fear, and withdrawal from society. The surgical correction of the deformity in these children has a high social impact on the child and their parents. Children have reduced worry of falling behind in school and concerns of their body image. They are able to mix with other children and have reduced probability of depression and always anxiety.

Many girls who were treated by surgery under the OSS program have been married and have borne children. Many  have good jobs and most of them have felt more independent and mature. These are the long term positive effects of surgical treatment.

• It is a charitable mission project to provide spinal disease and deformity treatment for the poor and underserved in India.
• This is the 1st global outreach program for spinal surgery in India since 2006 (endorsed by Scoliosis Research Society, USA)
• The services provide comprehensive medical and state of the art surgical care to children and adults from socially deprived or rural areas who otherwise do not have access or could not afford such expensive treatment. 
• We have already performed more than 200 spinal surgeries at a low cost which has a huge social impact in the rural sector. 
• Annually we have specialized Spinal surgeons and nurses from around the globe coming to volunteer in the surgical camps. 
• We provide spinal implants for surgery donated by the implant companies. 
• We have developed a scoliosis awareness program in the communities around West Bengal.
• OSS helps to train and educate the Orthopedic trainees and nursing education in recognised Medical institutions. 
• OSS in association with other organizations provides spinal detection and treatment camps in rural areas. 
• OSS supports access to social services (other social foundations or trust) to maximize each patient's ability to become self-sufficient and independent.

Operation Straight Spine (OSS) is a registered charity conceived in 2002, by two Orthopedic Surgeons, Dr. Jeff McConnell (MD, USA) and Dr. Ujjwal K Debnath (MS Ortho, FRCS Glas, FRCS Tr & Ortho, DM Ortho, UK and India). Since 2006, OSS has been conducting complex spinal surgeries and medical care for children and adults with musculoskeletal diseases. This population belongs to indigenous groups from low-income backgrounds, who cannot afford high costs of surgeries. These surgeries require equipment, spinal instrumentation and spinal cord monitoring along with volunteers from USA, UK, Europe and India.  OSS has performed spinal surgical camps in local hospitals in West Bengal (India) for the last 16 years.

Collaborations in funding help us finance low-cost treatments in hospitals and arranging equipment, instruments and implants for carrying out successful surgeries on children, adolescents and adults. The charity also arranges teams consisting of specialist surgeons, nurses and other operating room personnel based abroad or in India for annual surgical camps.

Major Work of Operation Straight Spine (OSS):

• Arranges equipment, instruments and implants for successful spinal surgeries in underprivileged children, adolescents and adults in the rural and semi-urban sector,
• Arranges teams consisting of specialist surgeons, nurses and OR personnel based abroad or in India for surgical camps and supports a Scoliosis awareness programs in rural communities of West Bengal, India, 
• Supports a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery process after spinal surgery for these underprivileged patients to maximize their ability to become self-sufficient and independent.

Till date, we have impacted the lives of 220 children and adults through 220 complex spinal cord surgeries, in 15 annual surgical workshops and monthly surgical services. Donations to the OSS Trust will help in building a hospital in the rural sector. Corporate or foreign partners can promote individual and corporate philanthropy through this project. This association will help us grow a wider audience and have more volunteers to work for the cause. Through corporate partnerships, OSS can develop a coordinated strategy to help bring about a more holistic healthcare programme for the indigenous population of India.