The state health department has decided to set up its first neurological rehabilitation centres in the state- that is, dedicated facilities to help patients recover from disabilities caused by brain stroke, spinal cord injury, or other neurological conditions. State health officials are looking in Mumbai and Pune for places in which to house the centres.
The development was confirmed by the state's health minister, Dr. Deepak Sawant. "We are working on this project and have asked our officials to look for a suitable place for the centres," said Dr Sawant.
WHY ARE THE CENTRES NEEDED?
There are no statistics available, but expert estimates peg lakhs of people in need of neuro-rehabilitation each year in the state. Some patients go to private hospitals, which charge high rates for the treatment. Neuro-rehabilitation is expensive, because it involves spending weeks and sometimes months in hospital. The proposed government-run centres will be affordable to the common man, said state health officials.
WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT INVOLVE?
Neuro-rehabilitation aims at bringing about not only physical but also psychological recovery. Explaining what rehabilitation from a nervous system injury involves, Dr. Palande added, "Patients have to be treated by various specialists including a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a psychiatrist and clinical psychologist as well. Such centres need a comprehensive team along with modern machinery. They also need a huge ground in which patients can go for walks every day, as an essential part of treatment. To get proper medical management, such centres typically admit patients for a period of three to four months."
WHAT DO MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY?
Dr Deepak Palande, senior neurosurgeon and ex-professor and head of neurosurgery department, Sir JJ group hospital, said, "This is a welcome move. There is no dedicated neuro-rehabilitation centre in the state, although some private hospitals do administer this sort of treatment."
Dr Nirmal Surya, president of Indian Federation of Neuro-Rehabilitation said, "We have been struggling to bring robust neuro-rehabilitation services to India. It is a great move by the state government, as patients have no place to go to. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation centres will be a boon to such people."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}