PGI Chandigarh's Specialized Gait Lab Remains Inoperative for Over a Year, Affecting Hundreds
In a significant setback for neurological and geriatric care in North India, a crucial specialized facility at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh has been rendered non-functional for more than twelve months. The Gait Laboratory, housed within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) department, was designed specifically to restore mobility for stroke survivors and elderly patients experiencing walking difficulties. Its prolonged closure has left hundreds of individuals without access to the precise diagnostic clarity required to regain their ability to walk independently.
The Heart of the Crisis: A Sophisticated Diagnostic Tool Left Idle
Central to this healthcare impasse is the advanced 3D Gait Analysis machine. This sophisticated diagnostic apparatus employs infrared markers and specialized cameras to track human movement in real-time with remarkable precision. The process involves placing reflective markers on a patient's key joints and having them walk across pressure-sensitive floor platforms. The system then generates a comprehensive mathematical breakdown of walking deviations, offering invaluable insights into the biomechanics of movement.
An abnormal or faulty gait pattern can stem from a multitude of underlying issues, including joint abnormalities, muscle weakness, or complex neurological disorders like those following a stroke. The 3D gait machine represents the only method available at the facility to pinpoint the exact physiological cause of walking difficulties. Furthermore, it is indispensable for determining whether prescribed treatments and rehabilitation protocols are actually producing measurable improvements in a patient's condition.
Patient Care Suffers as Daily Footfall Plummets
The operational paralysis of the lab has had a direct and severe impact on patient services. Previously, the PMR department reported a daily patient footfall of approximately 150 individuals seeking gait analysis and related rehabilitation guidance. Following the lab's shutdown, this number has precipitously declined to a mere 60 patients per day. Consequently, stroke patients, who require this precise analysis to tailor and monitor their rehabilitation journeys, are being systematically turned away or are receiving sub-optimal, generalized care that lacks the necessary data-driven precision.
Administrative Dispute Over Repair Bill Halts Operations
The shutdown, which traces back to late 2024, originates from an administrative dispute concerning a repair bill estimated between Rs 6 to 7 lakh. The PGI administration has exhibited hesitancy in renewing the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for the hardware, which is now nearly a decade old. This reluctance stems from concerns over investing in aging equipment.
Professor Vijay Goni, who assumed leadership of the PMR department in November 2024, confirmed the laboratory's inactive status. However, he downplayed its clinical necessity in his statements. "The AMC/CMC was not reviewed as some parts are not working. PGI cannot provide funds for a 10-year-old system, and the company refused the AMC," Prof. Goni explained. He added a contentious perspective, stating, "It is not a diagnostic tool; it is only for research purposes." This characterization starkly contrasts with the laboratory's established role in direct patient diagnostics and treatment planning.
Compounding Crisis: Human Resource Breakdown in the Department
Beyond the hardware failure, the department is concurrently grappling with a severe breakdown in its human resources framework. Prof. Goni highlighted a critical staffing issue, alleging that the department's sole faculty member is not adequately contributing to essential teaching responsibilities or patient care activities. "About 80% of the department is run by physiotherapists, and the sole faculty is not teaching them as there were numerous complaints. We demanded senior residents and faculty, but none joined," he stated, painting a picture of an understaffed and struggling unit.
This dual crisis—combining the failure of a key diagnostic asset with significant human resource challenges—has created a perfect storm, severely hampering the department's capacity to deliver specialized rehabilitative care. The situation underscores broader systemic issues in maintaining advanced medical infrastructure and ensuring consistent, high-quality patient care for some of the most vulnerable patient populations requiring neurological and mobility rehabilitation.
