Robotic Rehabilitation Center to Open in Dhaka with Chinese Support
Bangladesh is launching its first Robotic Rehabilitation Center in Dhaka with Chinese support, ushering in a new era in healthcare with cutting-edge medical technology. The center will be established at the super-specialized hospital of Bangladesh Medical University (formerly BSMMU) in Shahbagh, covering an area of 4,000 square feet.
According to Dr. M. A. Shakur, Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the university, the center is being developed with the direct assistance of the Chinese government. As part of the initiative, two expert Chinese teams will stay in Bangladesh for one year to provide technological support and hands-on training to local professionals.
Several state-of-the-art robotic rehabilitation machines have already arrived in the country, while more equipment is in the process of being imported. Though preliminary activities began on August 5, the center is expected to become fully operational within the next two to three months.
Once launched, this center will mark a significant advancement in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector, potentially establishing Dhaka as a leading hub for robotic rehabilitation in South Asia.
Dr. Shakur noted that the project is being implemented under the joint supervision of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, project director, and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The initiative is being funded by the Ministry of Health and the university authority, while China’s contribution includes advanced medical devices valued at approximately BDT 20 crore.
Dr. Md. Abu Naser the Deputy Director of the university and member secretary of the center, confirmed that a committee has already been formed to oversee management, finance, and operations. Clinical activities will be led by the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department.
“The Chinese government has made a generous donation of cutting-edge robotic rehabilitation machines. This is a significant step forward for our medical capabilities,” said Dr. Naser. He also mentioned that both the Ministry of Health and the university are actively working toward completing the center’s implementation in the coming months.
Experts believe the center will not only offer advanced treatment to patients injured in recent social movements but will also reduce the need for costly medical travel abroad. In 2024, following the anti-discrimination student movement, more than 655 injured patients received treatment at various university departments, highlighting the urgent need for long-term rehabilitation facilities.
A Response to Urgent Healthcare Needs
Bangladeshi doctors face a monumental challenge. In a typical morning, a single physician might treat up to 150 patients. That level of overload affects not just the quality of care, but the dignity of the patient experience.
“Imagine what could happen if each doctor had time to really listen,” one senior physician Grieves. He also said “In the U.S. a doctor may see 10 patients in the same span of time. We need system change, not just equipment.”
Why Robotic Rehabilitation Matters
Robotic rehabilitation can be one of the catalysts for that transformation. It reduces the burden on human practitioners while offering precision therapy tailored to the patient’s condition. It brings efficiency, standardization, and hope specially to those who have felt forgotten in the crowd.
The center will serve both movement-affected individuals and general patients who pay a set fee, operating under a clear and structured policy. Authorities also emphasized that the availability of robotic rehabilitation in Dhaka will reduce dependency on neighboring countries like India for such services.
Doctors at the university noted that the use of robotic technology will help improve treatment quality and reduce the burden on physicians, who currently treat up to 150 patients daily. By integrating such advanced systems, the quality of care and patient outcomes are expected to improve significantly.
Once fully operational, Dhaka is set to become the hub of robotic rehabilitation in South Asia. That vision isn’t just national pride—it’s a realistic, achievable goal backed by infrastructure, training, and international cooperation.
The center also marks a philosophical shift. Where once we looked outward for healing, we are now building inward. With strategic vision and sincere partnerships, Bangladesh is laying the foundation for a future where technology and humanity walk hand in hand.
The Robotic Rehabilitation Center is poised to open a new chapter in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector, combining international collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on long-term recovery and rehabilitation.
