National Conference on Rehabilitation at NIMHANS Highlights Urgent Need for Accessible Care
Experts Stress on Bridging Gaps in Rehabilitation Services Across India
The 53rd annual conference of the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMRCON 2025) at NIMHANS emphasized the critical need for affordable and accessible rehabilitation services, along with the development of a skilled workforce in the field.
The conference, themed ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Advancing Rehabilitation for All’, underscored the increasing burden of disability both globally and in India. Experts and stakeholders called for strategic measures to strengthen rehabilitation services and expand accessibility.
Jointly organized by the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation at NIMHANS, Kaveri Association of Rehabilitation Medicine (KARM), and the Karnataka Chapter of the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), the event witnessed participation from over 300 delegates on January 30.
Delivering the inaugural address, B. N. Gangadhar, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), emphasized the importance of making rehabilitation both affordable and widely available. He highlighted the need for a multi-disciplinary approach and integrated rehabilitation strategies.
P. Thirunavukkarasu, presiding officer of IAPMR, advocated for the inclusion of disability etiquette training in undergraduate medical education and stressed the urgency of developing a workforce with expertise in rehabilitation.
NIMHANS Director Pratima Murthy highlighted the institute’s five-decade legacy in offering multi-disciplinary rehabilitation services. She pointed to the potential of tele-rehabilitation in addressing community-level challenges and emphasized the necessity of integrating mental health into rehabilitation care for a more holistic treatment approach. “Collaboration across specialties is key to enhancing rehabilitation outcomes in India,” she noted.
Maheswarappa B. M., acting president of the Karnataka Chapter of IAPMR, expressed optimism about the future of medical rehabilitation in India while acknowledging the pressing need to address the shortage of rehabilitation professionals across the country.
The scientific program featured an extensive range of lectures, research presentations, and interactive workshops, focusing on advanced rehabilitation techniques and innovations in rehabilitation technology. Delegates and experts collectively called for policy-driven solutions to improve the quality of life for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide.