Ahmedabad: In a landmark step towards ensuring access to quality and affordable neuro rehabilitation for the needy, Torrent Group-supported UNM Foundation on Sunday unveiled a state-of-the-art neuro rehabilitation facility “Sankalan” in Ahmedabad.
Patients at this 30,000-square feet Centre would largely encompass the needy patients belonging to the underprivileged sections of the society.
Designed to redefine the future of neuro rehabilitation, Sankalan follows a unique model that integrates multiple therapies, approaches and disciplines into a unified framework for holistic treatment, recovery and care.
Neuro Rehabilitation is a specialized form of therapy to help individuals recover from neurological ailments arising due to dysfunction of the brain and the resultant difficulty in performing coordinated and integrated, sensory and motor functions. Neuro Rehabilitation attempts to fully or partially restore these functions through the process of relearning and rewiring of the brain.
Sankalan aspires to create an ecosystem where individuals with neurological challenges regain mobility, communication, and cognitive skills, while also rediscovering joy, dignity, and the possibility of returning to work and community life.
The inauguration was graced by the presence of Mr Sudhir Mehta, Chairman Emeritus, Torrent Group and eminent senior doctors and experts from the field of neurology. Noted neurologist Dr Sagar Betai presented case studies of 3 Patients and shared insights about the promising outcomes from the neuro-rehabilitation. A presentation was made by Dr. Vivek Misra on advances in Neuro Rehabilitation – Role of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation.
Dr Chaitanya Dutt, Head of Healthcare Initiatives of UNM Foundation, said, “Our objective at Sankalan is to comprehensively evaluate the issues that need to be addressed in order to restore as much and as many the individual’s mental and physical abilities to the pre-event status as is possible by the means that we have at our disposal. The name of this Centre – Sankalan signifies an assemblage of different disciplines working in unison towards a shared objective. This is beginning of a new chapter in Neurological Rehabilitation at Sankalan.”
Commenting on the inauguration, Mr Jinal Mehta, Director, Torrent Group, said, “Sankalan combines science, compassion and technology and endeavours to help individuals with neurological challenges to reclaim their independence and dignity. This advanced wholistic neuro rehabilitation Centre is a pilot project for what we intend to do in the field of Neuro Rehabilitation. It is envisaged that this facility will cater to in-patients (IPD) as well. Eventually, we plan to replicate the model in other cities of Gujarat including Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot and eventually to other parts of the country.”
The incidences of stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, age-related degenerative diseases, etc have increased due various reasons including a fast, ambitious and stressful lifestyle. While hospitals provide care with emphasis on saving life, they are usually not equipped to bring back the earlier quality of life, self-dependence, reemployment possibility and self-esteem of the patient.
One of the unique features of Sankalan is the patient-specific treatment protocol for each patient’s recovery journey to regain abilities impaired after acquired neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. These individualized therapy plans are formulated, focusing on measurable short term and long-term goals and periodic progress reviews. The unique occupational therapy at the Centre mimics the living conditions of a patient to help them adjust faster at their homes.
Each patient program is thoughtfully tailored to design therapy goals that are evidence-based and aligned with the emotional, social, and functional needs of every patient. Caregivers and families are involved as active participants, ensuring a care journey that extends beyond the walls of the Centre.
This unique model ensures that even the most economically marginalized patients receive world-class treatment without compromise.
Sankalan stands as a beacon of hope, innovation, and inclusivity – in line with UNM Foundation’s philosophy of emphasizing well-being of people and society. Collectively, the Centre will deliver evidence-based rehabilitation programs that blend clinical excellence with compassionate care. Attempts will be made to inculcate confidence in the patients to regain majority of previously possessed cognitive and physical abilities to live a near-normal life.
The facility is equipped with some of the most advanced technologies in the field of neurology that includes fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy), Non-invasive brain stimulation, Esoglove, E-helper exoskeleton + Reaterra, Neuro Audio, Myro etc.
Besides having advanced technology deployed for diagnosis and study, Sankalan will initially operate with about 63 multidisciplinary team of experts comprising neuro physicians, physiatrists, physiotherapists, psychologists, sociologists, facilitators, bio medical engineers, data scientists and community outreach professionals.
Going forward and based on initial learnings, UNM Foundation plans to develop a full-fledged rehabilitation centre spread over 3.5 acres near Science City Road in Ahmedabad.
