Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital Introduces Robotic Technology ‘G Gaiter’

G Gaiter focuses on enhancing the recovery process of individuals who have lost mobility due to conditions such as stroke, spinal injuries, accidents, Parkinson's disease, and other similar ailments.

The General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has become the first government hospital in India to introduce the G Gaiter, a robotic technology developed by the city-based startup Genrobotics.

The advanced gait training robot, which utilises AI, was launched at an event during the 'Keraleeyam' festival. Health Minister Veena George dedicated the G Gaiter to the hospital to provide neurorehabilitation treatment for patients with limited mobility.

Genrobotics, known for its remarkable use of technology for social change, designed the G Gaiter as part of the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council's (K-DISC) mission to promote new technologies for the state's development.

This robot focuses on enhancing the recovery process of individuals who have lost mobility due to conditions such as stroke, spinal injuries, accidents, Parkinson's disease, and other similar ailments.

In Kerala, more than 840,000 people are disabled due to these conditions, and the state's stroke-related disability cases surpass the national average, as reported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The ICMR study reveals that there are 152 stroke patients for every 100,000 people in Kerala, while the national average is only 93. The G Gaiter technology has the potential to significantly expedite the recovery process for these individuals compared to the conventional, time-consuming methods currently in practice.

Furthermore, it plays a vital role in boosting patients' morale during therapy sessions, motivating them to participate actively in rehabilitation.

"Kerala is now ready to make advanced medical treatment using artificial intelligence and robotics available for people. The new technology will ensure better treatment and speedy rehabilitation for the people who lost mobility due to various ailments," the minister said.

The G Gaiter has already been installed at Aster Group hospitals in Kerala. The government of Kerala has plans to introduce the G Gaiter at medical college hospitals in Kozhikode, Thrissur, and Kottayam.

The launch event also included the inauguration of the Antibiogram Application and the Young Innovators' Programme. Dr. Unnikrishnan, Member Secretary of K-DISC, emphasised the importance of this project in enhancing people's quality of life and contributing to the state's journey towards becoming a knowledge society.

This technological advancement has received the approval of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, India's national regulator for medical devices, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

The integration of the G Gaiter into the healthcare system is expected to mark a significant shift in the rehabilitation of patients with mobility issues, with a potential for far-reaching positive impacts.

In a similar development, the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) recently unveiled the Department of Robotic Joint Replacement to offer comprehensive care for patients suffering from knee problems.

The newly launched department will perform knee replacement surgeries using advanced robotic knee replacement procedures. Further, it will utilise the Rosa Knee robotic system, which customises knee replacements for each patient's unique anatomy, potentially resulting in a more natural knee feeling post-surgery.