Kolkata recently hosted a landmark gathering of India's top medical minds to mark a significant milestone in the field of healing and recovery. A day-long conference celebrating 25 years of medical rehabilitation brought together eminent doctors, healthcare leaders, and specialists from across the nation.
The Future is Robotic and AI-Driven
The Medical Rehabilitation Centre (MRC) 25 summit, held in the city on Sunday, became a hub for in-depth discussions on the transformative role of technology. Experts extensively debated the safety, scalability, and future potential of robotic therapy and artificial intelligence within medical rehabilitation, especially for Kolkata's evolving healthcare landscape.
A strong consensus emerged that robotic rehabilitation is poised for significant growth over the next five to seven years. This anticipated expansion is fueled by demonstrably positive patient outcomes, growing public trust built on real-life success stories, and the gradual integration of advanced robotic systems by established rehabilitation units across the country.
Precision Care for Holistic Recovery
The deliberations emphasized how this new wave of precision-driven, technology-enabled care aligns perfectly with the core mission of rehabilitation medicine: to deliver accurate, effective, and genuinely patient-centric recovery solutions. The summit's agenda was comprehensive, covering a wide spectrum of critical topics shaping the future of rehabilitative care.
Key subjects included:
- Fibromyalgia and post-stroke pain management
- The integration of HR technology in healthcare settings
- Advancements in AI and robotics for rehabilitation
- Bladder rehabilitation and the use of Botox
- Bowel and sexual rehabilitation
- Tenotomy for enhanced rehabilitation outcomes
- Management of peripheral neuropathy
Bridging Gaps in Patient Care and Conversation
Dr. Mouli Madhab Ghatak, Founder & In-charge of MRC, highlighted a crucial gap in post-treatment care. He stated that some of the most complex struggles patients face, like post-treatment complications, chronic pain, and persistent functional limitations, often remain undiscussed.
"By opening conversations on these critical but overlooked areas of rehabilitation, we aim to bridge gaps in understanding, empathy, and clinical practice," Dr. Ghatak explained. "Our goal is to ensure that end-to-end recovery, patient dignity, and long-term well-being remain central pillars of medical care."
The summit featured an illustrious panel of experts, including:
- Dr. A. K. Mukherjee, Former Director General of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre and Former DGHS, Govt of India.
- Dr. Jagannatha Sahoo, PMR head, AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
- Dr. Ravi Shankaran, PMR head, Amrita Hospital, Kochi.
- Dr. Sanjay Pandey, Head of AIIMS Patna and Vice President, IAPMR.
- Dr. Mrinal Joshi, Director, Rehabilitation Research Centre and Joint Director, SOTTO, SMS Medical College, Jaipur.
- Dr. Rajesh Pramanik, PMR head, IPGMER Kolkata.
- Dr. Goutam Das, Former President, Indian Society for the Study of Pain and Director, Daradia Pain Clinic.
- Dr. B. K. Choudhury, Ex-Professor & HOD, Department of PMR, Calcutta Medical College & Hospital.
Along with Dr. Ghatak, these distinguished professionals from leading national institutions provided a comprehensive, pan-Indian perspective on the road ahead for rehabilitation medicine, firmly placing Kolkata at the heart of this vital national dialogue.
