Govt to launch pilot project tomorrow at Bangladesh's 1st robotic rehabilitation centre

The government is set to introduce a new era in rehabilitation care for patients with paralysis and long-term neurological conditions with the launch of its first robotic rehabilitation centre.

The pilot project will begin on a limited scale tomorrow (10 July) at the Super Specialised Hospital of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) in the capital's Shahbag, according to a media statement issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing today (9 July).

Established with technical assistance from China, the centre has been built to match international standards and will offer precise, technology-driven rehabilitation services.

Those injured during last year's mass uprising — many of whom continue to suffer from long-term physical conditions — will receive free robotic therapy at the centre, read the statement.

According to official sources, the Chinese government has donated around Tk20 crore worth of robotic equipment for the facility.

From a technological standpoint, the centre is expected to become one of South Asia's most advanced robotic rehabilitation units, marking a ground-breaking milestone in Bangladesh's healthcare sector.

The centre houses a total of 62 robotic devices, 22 of which are powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). These advanced robots will be able to deliver highly precise physiotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, and long-term therapeutic care tailored to each patient's specific condition, according to the statement.

BMU authorities have stated that, as part of the centre's preparatory phase, a team of seven biomedical engineers from China has already trained 27 doctors and physiotherapists.

Once the trained personnel gain sufficient expertise and the pilot phase proves to be successful, the centre will become fully operational.

The robotic centre is expected to benefit patients recovering from stroke, paralysis, neurological disorders, chronic pain, nerve injuries, frozen shoulder, trauma-related complications, and other physical impairments requiring intensive rehabilitation.

While the initial focus is on specialised cases, BMU plans to gradually open the services to general patients under a structured policy framework.

Authorities have also pledged to ensure that treatment costs remain within the financial reach of patients.

Once fully operational, this centre will usher Bangladesh into a new era of high-tech rehabilitation medicine, becoming a beacon of hope for people living with paralysis and long-term illnesses.