KEM Hospital in Parel, Mumbai, has launched a sports injury rehabilitation centre, becoming the first public hospital in western India to offer a facility for athletes seeking advanced treatment.

The sports injury rehab centre, built with CSR [corporate social responsibility] funding from Balkrishna Industries, aims to provide advanced care and rehabilitation to sportspersons at municipal rates.

The facility features a range of the latest equipment for athlete training and rehabilitation. It is equipped with 25 beds, including 20 general, two special, and three ICU beds.

Plans are underway to offer a postgraduate degree in sports medicine, enhancing the centre’s academic and clinical capabilities.

During the inauguration, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Bhushan Gagrani highlighted the importance of the centre, stating: "It is important to have such a centre available for athletes in a metropolis like Mumbai."

He noted that the facility aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to prepare for Olympic-level competitions, providing essential support to the city’s sporting talent.

KEM Hospital dean Dr Sangeeta Ravat provided further insights into the multidisciplinary approach of the centre: "Arthroscopic surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, biophysicists, psychiatrists, and dieticians will all be available under one roof."

Dr Ravat added that the primary goal is to ensure that injured athletes can recover fully and return to their sporting careers.

KEM medical superintendent Dr Mohan Desai addressed the challenges faced by young athletes following injuries, commenting: "Many youngsters give up sporting dreams after injuries. But with such a facility available in the public sector, they have a second chance."

Sports medicine in India has traditionally been limited to a few private hospitals, where treatment and surgery costs can reach several million rupees, reported Times of India (ToI).

The centre was constructed with a budget of Rs200m ($2.4m), funded through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

It is equipped with devices such as walker view machines, de wall (a machine that helps movement analysis and training), and an underwater treadmill.