Mumbai civic chief Bhushan Gagrani on Sunday inaugurated the Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Parel, making it the first government hospital in the city to offer a dedicated, technology-driven treatment and rehabilitation facility for sportspersons.
The new centre, housed under a newly created independent sports medicine department, aims to provide comprehensive care for athletes suffering from sports-related injuries. It comprises a 20-bed ward and offers a wide range of treatment services—arthroscopy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, biophysics, sports psychology, and dietary support—under a single roof.
The facility is equipped with advanced therapeutic technologies such as TECAR (transfer of energy capacitive and resistive) therapy, ultrasonic therapy, interferential therapy, shockwave therapy, and ice-and-heat therapy.
Specialised equipment, including underwater treadmills, zero-gravity treadmills, D-wall and walker view machines, Aerolab, and Dynalab, will also be available to assist in rehabilitation.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Gagrani said the centre’s creation is a significant step toward supporting the sports sector in Mumbai.
“This facility will provide world-class treatment and rehabilitation services to athletes, helping them return to competition safely,” he stated.
The civic chief also noted that the initiative would contribute to enhancing KEM Hospital’s national standing and lauded the private sector’s role in supporting the project.
Balkrishna Industries provided financial assistance for setting up the advanced treatment technologies at the centre. Gagrani praised the corporate contribution, saying it reflects a strong commitment to sports development and the spirit of social responsibility.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade, KEM Hospital Dean Dr Sangita Rawat, head of orthopaedics Dr Mohan Desai, and representatives from Balkrishna Industries, including Vijayalakshmi Poddar and Arvind Poddar.
Highlighting the importance of such a facility in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, Gagrani referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for India’s preparation for international sporting events, including the Olympics. He said that athletes returning to competition after rehabilitation at the centre would benefit greatly from the services, adding with a smile that even he would like to be treated there if injured while playing sports or exercising.
The Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre is now ready to provide treatment to patients of all age groups, with state-of-the-art healthcare standards and a full range of therapies designed to help athletes recover efficiently and safely.
