Kolkata Heart Lung Centre Marks World Physiotherapy Day with Focus on Cardiovascular and Neuro-Rehabilitation

Marking World Physiotherapy Day with a strong sense of clinical commitment and celebration, Kolkata Heart Lung Centre and Research Institute (KHLC) hosted a high-impact health awareness symposium at the Eastern Metropolitan Club, Survey Park, Kolkata. Aligned with this year’s global theme, “Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation,” the symposium brought together leading medical professionals, healthcare leaders, rehabilitation specialists, and patient advocates to underscore the indispensable role of structured rehabilitation in restoring functional independence and improving quality of life.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr. P. K. Hazra, renowned Interventional Cardiologist, along with several distinguished healthcare professionals and guests, including Prof. Prabir Kumar Dey, Director of Pranabananda Institute of Management & Technology (PIMT), a unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha; eminent Neurologist Dr. Joydeep Biswas; KHLC Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Sunip Banerjee; Head of Critical Care Unit Dr. Prasanta Verma; Dr. Subrata Dutta; Dr. Adil Bashir Wasil; Dr. Indranil Dutta; Director of Cardiovascular Surgery Dr. Arnab Maiti; Pulmonologist Dr. Anirban Deb; and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist Dr. Satyajit Behera, among other prominent members of the medical fraternity.

Following the inauguration, Dr. Satyajit Behera presented the Annual Report of Kolkata Heart Lung Centre, highlighting the institution’s clinical initiatives and commitment to advancing comprehensive rehabilitation services. The programme was anchored seamlessly by Clinical Dietitian Shubhankshi Das.

Highlighting the growing importance of rehabilitation in modern healthcare, Chief Guest Dr. P. K. Hazra said, “As individuals age, heart and lung muscle reserves naturally decline. Scientific cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and professional counselling play a pivotal role in keeping vital organs active. Guided physical therapy is essential not only after heart surgeries or knee replacements but also in managing chronic conditions like COPD, asthma and diabetes. In long-term neurological or musculoskeletal conditions like stroke and osteoarthritis, rehabilitation offers patients a dignity-filled, active life.”

Speaking about the importance of extending healthcare services to underserved communities, Prof. Prabir Kumar Dey, Director of PIMT, said, “In joint collaboration with Kolkata Heart Lung Centre and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, our primary objective is to extend specialized physiotherapy support to underserved and marginalized communities. Serving humanity remains our core ethos.”

Reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to patient care, Dr. Sunip Banerjee, Interventional Cardiologist, remarked, “We move beyond isolated physiotherapy to embrace comprehensive rehabilitation. Our collective goal is maintaining complete physical resilience across all patient demographics.”

Eminent Neurologist Dr. Joydeep Biswas highlighted the critical role of neuro-rehabilitation, stating, “Neuro-rehabilitation holds paramount clinical significance. Stroke directly impacts the brain, and structured rehabilitation acts as the vital bridge to helping patients reclaim their independent, normal lives.”

Emphasizing the need to create greater public awareness about specialized rehabilitation, Dr. Satyajit Behera, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist, said, “Public awareness regarding specialized rehabilitation remains limited. While patients routinely consult cardiologists or pulmonologists for acute ailments, comprehensive cardiopulmonary rehab is what restores true organ capacity. At Kolkata Heart Lung Centre, we deliver international-standard, evidence-based therapy covering prevention, management, and rehabilitation under a single roof.”

One of the most inspiring moments of the symposium was the patient showcase, which brought the transformative impact of rehabilitation to life. Paulami Mukherjee, a resident of Tagore Park and a patient recovering from COPD, captivated the audience with a soulful vocal performance. Her participation served as a powerful reminder that structured pulmonary rehabilitation can help patients regain confidence, independence, and an active quality of life.

The celebration concluded on a vibrant and uplifting note with a ceremonial cake cutting, followed by a graceful dance performance to ‘Vande Mataram’ by senior members of the Dignity Foundation. The performance drew warm and heartfelt applause from members of the medical fraternity and brought the symposium to a memorable close.