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What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when we talk about Virtual Reality (VR)? You may have pictured a person wearing a headset immersed in gaming. But what if I told you that the uses of VR are not just limited to gaming but can also be an integral part of medicine? It can be used for treating various health conditions, including neurological illness. VR is yet another computer-based technology that has many applications. We spoke to Dr Avinash Kulkarni, Consultant Neurologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, who explained the role of VR in healthcare, its benefits, and its uses.

What is virtual reality?
“Virtual reality, or VR, is a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment that enables users to explore and engage with virtual settings. This immersive experience closely resembles reality as it is perceived through users’ senses. The virtual environment is generated using software, and participants may need to wear equipment like goggles, headsets, or bodysuits to interact with it effectively,” said Dr Kulkarni.

Role of VR in healthcare
VR technology has become a useful tool for assessing and improving cognitive abilities, helping in rehabilitation and supporting research. According to the 2024 study, VR has the potential to improve patient care, enhance medical training, and raise the overall quality of healthcare. With immersive training simulations and advanced pain management techniques, VR offers innovative ways to achieve better results for both patients and healthcare providers.

Benefits of VR systems
VR systems allow users to interact in various sensory environments and to obtain real-time feedback on their performance without exposing them to risks while using computer technology. “Patients can engage in activities in settings and locations similar to those they would face in real life thanks to the simulated environments provided by VR technology,” added Dr Kulkarni.

Applications of VR in healthcare
Here are some medical applications of VR as listed by Dr Kulkarni:

Pain, Anxiety, and Distraction Management
Some VR applications used in healthcare can help ease pain, reduce anxiety, and provide distraction. Patients can immerse themselves in environments of their preference, leading to better mental health and an improved quality of life.

Cognitive training
VR can also be used for cognitive training. Patients can work on their cognitive abilities by playing games that integrate physical exercise, enhancing mental and physical capacities.

Physical and neurological rehabilitation
One of the most complex applications of VR in healthcare is in physical and neurological rehabilitation. These programs offer functional goals built into interactive VR games, making therapy more enjoyable and engaging. Patients can rebuild neurological pathways while meeting their exercise and workout needs.

According to BMC Neurology Open, most VR treatments focus on rehabilitation, especially for improving movement-related issues in neurology. These programs recreate traditional therapy exercises in a virtual setting. For stroke patients, VR therapy has shown results similar to standard rehabilitation in improving movement abilities. When used alongside regular therapy, it has significantly enhanced upper limb function and hand coordination. Additionally, VR-based therapy has been just as effective as traditional methods in improving walking and balance in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Examples of VR applications in healthcare
Driving assessment after brain injury
VR can simulate driving scenarios for patients recovering from brain injuries. These simulations help patients regain their ability to drive by addressing cognitive, motor, and sensory factors.

Virtual classroom scenario
A virtual classroom scenario consists of a standard rectangular classroom environment containing desks, a teacher, a blackboard, a side wall with large windows, etc. Within this scenario, children’s attention performance can be assessed while regular classroom distractions are systematically controlled and manipulated within the Virtual Environment (VE).

Bottomline
Dr Kulkarni concluded, “The price of VR devices will become more affordable for most Indian patients in the coming years due to better technology and local production. When used correctly by trained professionals, VR devices can greatly help neurorehabilitation. Soon, we might see stroke patients using VR goggles for their physiotherapy, dementia patients using VR to boost their memory, and children with ADHD using VR devices to improve their focus. Although we still have a long way to go, it’s exciting to think about the future for patients with neurological issues.” Onlymyhealth

With the aim of providing health services at affordable rates, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla inaugurated the MRI Test Service Centre at JP Hospital on Wednesday. With this, the JP Hospital has become the first district hospital in the state to offer MRI scan facility.

Shukla said that MRI test service will soon be launched at government-run health facilities in Ujjain, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. The services will be available to the public at 30% less than the CGHS rates. Moreover, Ayushman Bharat Yojana beneficiaries can avail themselves of the services free of cost.

The Dy CM said that under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, unprecedented changes have been made in the health sector in the country. The improvements in the state’s health services are being undertaken keeping the present need and future challenges in view. Shukla informed that the work on Cath Lab and cardio related services at JP Hospital will be completed by March. This will enable the medical facility to offer advanced procedures such as angiography, angioplasty, heart transplants, and bypass surgeries, he said, adding that a a 100-bed cardio treatment unit also will be established.

Minister of state for health department, Narendra Shivaji Patel said that an MRI facility has been established at the cost of Rs 10.50 crores. The unit has capacity to undertake scanning of 80 patients per day and offers minimal wait times and accurate reporting. The minister also informed that recruitment of more than 46,000 posts in the health department is being undertaken. Free Press Journal

The state cabinet has decided to recommend to the government of India the proposal to set up a 100-seat Medical College and a 420-bedded hospital at Namsai under the Aspirational District Programme. This project is planned under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and aims to bridge the gap in healthcare services and medical education in the region. The total project cost is ₹375 crore.

The decision was made during the first meeting of the state cabinet for 2025, held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

Also, in a major decision to enhance financial viability of large hydropower projects rejuvenated through MoAs with Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), the state cabinet approved the grant of SGST reimbursement concessions for the Tato II Hydroelectric Project (700 MW) and the Kamala Hydroelectric Project (1,720 MW). The Tato II HEP is located on the Siyom River in the Shi Yomi district and the Kamala HEP is located on the Kamala River in the Upper Subansiri district. Both these projects will be implemented in joint ventures between the state government and the respective CPSUs, with the state government holding 26% equity share in the joint venture.

These projects entail a cumulative investment of around ₹ 35,000 crore and are expected to generate close to ₹ 470 crore in free power and ₹ 79 crore Local Area Development Fund every year after commissioning. These 2 projects are part of the 13 stalled large HEPs rejuvenated by the state government through the signing of MoAs with four CPSUs in 2023.

The projects aim at upskilling local workers, creating a pool of skilled labor, and boosting regional economic activity, contributing to Arunachal Pradesh’s development, as well as harnessing Arunachal Pradesh’s significant hydroelectric generation potential of 58,000 MW, stated a govt. release.

The state cabinet has also approved the policy on the Arunachal Pradesh Policy for Restoration of Terminated Large Hydropower Projects under Special Circumstances, 2025. The policy aims to revive terminated large hydropower projects that achieved substantial progress at the site.

The state cabinet also approved the upgradation of 20 JE (Civil) posts in the department of hydropower development to 20 ASW (Civil) and AE (Civil) posts; creation of 36 posts in the department of land management including 1 Group A post, 15 Group B posts and 20 Group C posts and 32 teaching and non-teaching posts for the Government Engineering College, Tezu.

The cabinet also approved the creation of an electrical sub-division at Chambang, along with manpower, to enhance power management in Kurung Kumey district, and sanctioned a new Public Works Department (PWD) division at Koloriang and a sub-division at Damin to accelerate infrastructure development in the district. The Arunachal Times

In what is the second such committee appointed within a span of eight days, the public health department on Tuesday appointed a four-member committee to conduct a probe into the financial transactions at the Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) in Yerawada, officials said. The four-member committee was appointed by Dr Radhakishan Pawar, deputy director of health services, to investigate the financial transactions of the Centre of Excellence Programme started under the District Mental Health Programme at the hospital.

As per the orders issued, the committee will be helmed by Ganesh Jagtap, circle programme manager, National Health Mission (NHM) while the other three members include Mahesh Ruptakke, Smarnika Patil and Vijay Gholap from NHM. The committee will inspect the financial records for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25. The medical superintendent of the RMH has been directed to cooperate with the team during the inspection, officials said.

Dr Shrinivas Kolod, acting medical superintendent of the RMH, said that the Centre of Excellence was started three years ago and received funds from the NHM. “The RMH received funds of ₹50 lakh between February and March 2024. All decisions and transactions regarding the funds received, allocations and payments are carried out exclusively by the medical superintendent of the hospital. Due to this, we are unaware of other funds being received and allocation for the previous year. However, we are now checking all the past and current years’ records,” Dr Kolod said.

The public health department has already started an inspection of all four mental hospitals in the state as per directions from the public health minister, Prakash Abitkar. Following complaints received regarding alleged corruption at the RMH, the health department last week appointed a committee to probe the alleged corruption at the hospital. However, during the first inspection itself, the medical superintendent Dr Sunil Patil went on a month-long leave.

Hindustan Times had published a news report earlier on January 13 titled, ‘Despite spending ₹73.04 lakh, only one solar water heater functional at RMH’ regarding the discrepancies found at the hospital while providing healthcare services to the inmates. To provide hot water for domestic use to patients, the state government granted funds of ₹73.04 lakh to the RMH. The hospital made a bill payment of ₹73.04 lakh to the contractor in two instalments (May and November 2024). However, despite all bills being paid, only one solar water heater in section 3 of the men’s ward is functional forcing inmates to use cold water for baths, said officials.

The RMH is a Regional Institute of Psychiatric Science and Allied Services (RIPAS) and for the past three years, has been running a diploma course in psychiatric nursing under its Centre of Excellence programme. Under the same programme, courses like Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in MSW and MPhil in Clinical Psychology among others have been proposed.

A senior officer from the RMH on condition of anonymity said that the funds are received from the NHM for these courses and are supposed to be used for furniture, library, computers, stationery, IEC material, and teaching equipment among others. “The committee will probe if the funds received were allocated as per protocol and for the reason they were allotted. It will also probe if there is any misappropriation of funds,” said the official.

Dr Pawar said, “The committee has been appointed by us to inspect the financial transactions and records. This is a routine practice by us and no complaints were received regarding any alleged misappropriation of funds. However, action is taken if any misappropriation of funds is found in the records,” he said. Hindustan Times

Acting on directives from the state health department, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) health department has initiated inspections of hospitals across the city. These inspections aim to assess the quality of services, ensure no obstacles hinder patient care, verify compliance with the Patient Rights Charter, check if tariff lists and toll-free numbers are displayed, and identify any other discrepancies. During this drive, six hospitals were found to have various shortcomings, leading to the issuance of notices by the health department.

Reports had earlier surfaced about unauthorised medical treatment being conducted at some facilities in Pune. Additionally, there were allegations of fake patient records being submitted to exploit benefits under the municipal urban poor scheme. Following these revelations, the PMC intensified its inspection drive.

Hospitals, nursing homes, and private clinics within the city’s jurisdiction have been urged to register with the municipal corporation as per provisions of the Bombay Nursing Home Act, 1949.

Starting Thursday, a special drive will be conducted to scrutinise hospitals. As mandated by the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Rules, 2021, the PMC conducts biannual inspections of nursing homes. For this purpose, a checklist has been devised, and inspections are carried out by medical teams from the municipal zonal offices.

Pune has around 850 hospitals and over 4,000 outpatient clinics. With the state government’s directives, the health department has intensified inspections to identify lapses or violations. Strict action will be taken against hospitals found guilty of negligence, stated PMC’s health department officials.

During inspections, authorities also verify the availability of fire safety systems and whether patient records are maintained as per prescribed Sample D guidelines. Regional medical officers have been appointed at the zonal office level to conduct these inspections. Any irregularities observed during the checks are communicated to the concerned parties through oral or written notices.

As per instructions and orders from the Deputy Director of Health Services, Pune Division, inspections of registered hospitals within the municipal limits are being carried out under a special drive. Unauthorised facilities found during this campaign will face action. The initiative will continue for a month.

“The PMC conducts such inspections twice a year. If hospitals fail to act on issued notices, they will face punitive measures under the Bombay Nursing Home Act. Compliance with the regulatory framework is mandatory for all hospitals,” said Suryakant Devkar, assistant health officer, health department, PMC. Pune Mirror