Srinagar, Sept 17 (JKNS): In a significant step towards strengthening physiotherapy, rehabilitation and multidisciplinary patient care in Jammu and Kashmir, PARAS Health Srinagar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP).
The collaboration aims to promote professional cooperation, knowledge exchange and greater awareness around the evolving role of physiotherapy in modern healthcare, while creating opportunities for advancing rehabilitation practices and patient-centred care.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Murtuza Habib, Facility Director, PARAS Health Srinagar, highlighted the expanding scope of physiotherapy and the important role physiotherapists play in the recovery and long-term wellbeing of patients.
He said physiotherapy today extends far beyond conventional rehabilitation, with physiotherapists playing an increasingly important role across specialties including orthopaedics, neurosurgery, critical care, sports injuries and post-operative recovery.
Dr Habib also underlined the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, where physiotherapists work closely with surgeons, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to support patients through different stages of treatment and recovery.
The MoU marks another step towards building stronger professional linkages and creating a platform for collaboration between a leading healthcare institution and the professional body representing physiotherapists.
Dr Masarat Shafi, PT, IAP CEC North Zone and Council Member, State Allied Health Council, J&K, described the occasion as a significant and historic moment for the organisation.
He said the IAP was particularly encouraged by PARAS Health Srinagar’s growing focus on specialised and advanced healthcare, noting the work being undertaken across departments including Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery and Critical Care.
Dr Shafi said the collaboration would provide an important platform for strengthening the role of physiotherapy within comprehensive healthcare and for promoting professional development, knowledge sharing and better rehabilitation practices.
The collaboration comes at a time when rehabilitation is increasingly recognised as an integral component of healthcare rather than merely a post-treatment service. From restoring mobility after orthopaedic procedures to supporting neurological recovery and helping critically ill patients regain strength and function, physiotherapy has become an essential component of the continuum of care.
The MoU between PARAS Health Srinagar and IAP is expected to further encourage professional engagement and contribute towards strengthening the rehabilitation ecosystem in the region. “Healthcare is meaningful when it is accessible, affordable and available closer to the communities we serve. Our focus at PARAS Health is to bring quality, specialised care to the doorsteps of people across Jammu and Kashmir at affordable rates. Collaborations such as this with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists further strengthen our commitment to ensuring that rehabilitation and recovery are an integral part of comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare.” Seema Vig, Senior Vice President & Regional Director, PARAS Health, said. (JKNS)
