Nair Hospital soon to offer aqua-therapy at reduced costs for special needs kids

In the private sector, it costs over Rs 20,000 per month, but at the facility, it would be available at one-tenth of the price at a concessional rate. “Often, children from poor economic backgrounds fail to enrol in aquatic therapy due to the high cost. Now, they would have the facility,” said Dr Medhekar.

Aqua-therapy, also known as aquatic therapy, offers a unique approach to paediatric neurorehabilitation. The buoyancy of water diminishes gravitational forces, making movement easier and minimising stress on joints. Dr Medhekar explained, “By harnessing the power of water’s buoyancy, this innovative rehabilitation approach not only alleviates physical strain on delicate muscles and joints but also opens a gateway to enhanced motor skills, improved coordination, and a profound sense of well-being.”

Children with Cerebral Palsy, Juvenile Arthritis, Spina Bifida, Scoliosis, Down’s Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Orthopaedic or Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome can benefit from aqua-therapy.

The positive impact of aqua-therapy on motor skills, balance, and flexibility in paediatric patients is well-documented. The enjoyable and relaxing nature of this form of therapy often encourages active participation among children, making it a valuable tool in holistic neurorehabilitation strategies, as per the doctors.

The budget allocation is pending approval from the financial department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). It is estimated that the setup process will take a few months once financial approval is secured.

The aqua-therapy facility will be integrated into the state-of-the-art Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Centre for children with physical and mental disabilities located at Nagpada in Byculla. This centre has nine specialised departments under one roof, including paediatrics, psychiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dentistry, orthopaedics, ENT, and ophthalmology.

As the centre runs on appointments, it prevents overcrowding, providing enough space and time for doctors to focus on the needs of the children.

Dr Medhekar also emphasised the centre’s role in dispelling mental health stigma, offering comprehensive services under one roof. “Often, a child with special needs like in the case of Cerebral Palsy, requires multiple visits to doctors, some for physio, check-ups, diagnosis. So, we decided to provide all the facilities under a single roof. It also becomes easier for the parents as running around with special needs children repeatedly can be an issue,” he added.

The child-centric five-story Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Centre, inaugurated last month, has already served over 12,000 patients affiliated with Nair Hospital. The centre’s coordinator stressed the importance of providing a child-friendly environment with themed decor, transforming therapy into an enjoyable experience.