Bangladesh's first robotic rehabilitation centre opens today

In response to the growing demand for advanced and cost-effective physiotherapy, Bangladesh is set to open its first state-of-the-art robotic rehabilitation centre, where artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robots will deliver physiotherapy and other specialised services.

The facility, established with support from China, is located in basement-1 of the Super Specialised Hospital at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) in Dhaka.

The centre is expected to be officially inaugurated at 12pm today by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen also attending the ceremony.

To support the centre's establishment, the Chinese government has supplied robotic equipment worth nearly Tk20 crore. The facility is primarily aimed at rehabilitating individuals injured in the July mass uprising. Once fully operational, it is expected to serve up to 300 patients daily.

"This is the country's first robotic physiotherapy centre. We have 62 robotic units installed here, including 22 AI-powered robots," said Prof Dr Md Abdus Shakur, head of the centre and chairman of BMU's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 

He added, "These AI-enabled robots can analyse a patient's movements and determine the necessary therapy without human input. However, doctors can intervene and adjust treatment plans when needed." 

Broader patient base

Initially, the centre will prioritise treatment for those injured in the July movement, especially those requiring long-term rehabilitation.

Dr Shakur noted that the facility will also serve patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including strokes, neurological disorders, chronic pain, paralysis-related complications, frozen shoulder, nerve damage, stiffness in body parts, and long-term injury effects. 

"With access to advanced rehabilitation here, patients will have a better chance at recovery and returning to normal life," he said.

Although the inauguration marks the official opening, the centre will begin operations on a limited scale. BMU authorities said doctors and physiotherapists will undergo further training before full-scale services begin.

From 11 to 14 May, 21 medical professionals received training from a seven-member Chinese technical team comprising biomedical engineers. However, formal appointments for doctors and physiotherapists are still pending.

Timeline and management

Dr Md Shahidul Hasan, additional director of the BMU Super Specialised Hospital, told The Business Standard that it may take around a month for the centre to become fully operational. 

"Recruitments are ongoing and treatment costs have not yet been finalised. Initially, the centre will be overseen by the Department of Physical Medicine at BMU," he said.

According to data from BMU's special cell on the July uprising, 11,306 people were injured in the July-August student-public movement. Around 80% suffered severe gunshot injuries.

So far, 38 severely injured individuals have been sent abroad for advanced treatment, including 12 receiving robotic physiotherapy – an option that remains prohibitively expensive due to treatment and associated costs like accommodation, transport, and caregiver expenses.

To reduce these costs and improve access to advanced care, the government partnered with China to establish this robotic physiotherapy facility in Dhaka.

Currently, around 250-300 injured individuals from the uprising are receiving treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, and Bangladesh Medical University.