Three new units were opened at the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) on Tuesday.
These were a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) unit, a haemophilia rehabilitation unit and an occupational therapy unit. The PRP unit is the first-of-its-kind facility in any state-run hospital in Bengal.
“PRP is a concentrated blood sample that contains high levels of platelets, a critical component for the wound healing process. The new machines in the PRP unit will treat patients, especially those who have sports injuries but do not require surgery,” said Partha Pratim Pan, head of the PM&R department.
He said platelets contain growth factors that stimulate tissue generation and repair.
“Growth factors derived from platelets are responsible for soft tissue repair, bone regeneration, development of new blood vessels and stimulation. These can help to optimise conditions for curing,” said Pan.
Doctors at the department said clinical studies have shown that application of PRP can help reduce bleeding, pain and infection rates.
“Patients suffering from osteoarthritis, joint pain or back pain and those with chronic tendon injuries or acute ligament and muscle injuries may benefit from PRP,” said a doctor.
On the unit to treat haemophilia, the doctor added: “Haematoma affecting muscles and joints is the most common musculoskeletal finding in haemophilic patients. Proper treatment is necessary to prevent disability.”
In the third unit — the occupational therapy unit —therapists will treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through therapeutic use of everyday activities.
“They will help these patients recover, improve as well as maintain skills needed for daily living and working,” said a source.
The units, Pan said, will help hundreds of patients. According to him, every day, around 450 patients from north Bengal districts and neighbouring states of Bihar and Sikkim, and even from Nepal and Bangladesh visit the outpatient department (OPD) of the PM&R department of the hospital.
“These new facilities would help many of these patients with better treatment,” he said.
