CHENNAI, JUNE 1
The Buddhi Clinic unveiled the first comprehensive World Class Centre and Resource Hub in the heart of Chennai on Wednesday. Suneetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals was the Chief Guest and Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University Prof Dr Sudha Seshayyan was the Guest of Honour.
Suneeta Reddy expressed concern about the growing burden of chronic diseases and disability among the elderly as well as the burden of neurological disability and mental health. She emphasised the importance of targeted interventions that are focussed on these vulnerable populations. She expressed her appreciation for the readily scalable, replicable and expandable model that Buddhi Clinic had developed and demonstrated.
“With an ageing population to care for, the future of elder health is in our hands as healthcare professionals. We must identify and mainstream care models that are acceptable, accessible and accountable, including in-hospital, home-care and digital-care paradigms. Buddhi Clinic and Apollo Hospitals will be at the forefront of that effort,” she added.
Dr Sudha Seshayyan, in her address, discussed the importance of academic rigour in clinical care delivery.
“What we are witnessing in Buddhi Clinic is the organic development of multidisciplinary care, so important in addressing problems of mental health, Neuro-disability and chronic diseases.
The empirical research approach, including case studies and action-research models that Buddhi Clinic has used to address conditions like Autism, Epilepsy & Dementia, straddling the entire lifespan, is commendable. That several conferences, publications and books have emerged from this effort and that healthcare professionals across disciplines, apart from doctors and nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and AYUSH professionals have been involved in these developments collaboratively, makes clear the inclusivity and holistic approach that this model of care adopts. With a growing burden of elder health problems, chronic disease and disability, such care paradigms developed in India, for Indians, by Indians are the need of the hour. I am very pleased to see Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of integrated neuropsychiatry care,” Dr Sudha Seshayyan said.
Welcoming the gathering Dr Ennapadam S Krishnamoorthy, Founder of Buddhi Clinic, traced the evolution from a neuropsychiatry clinic and a chain of holistic care centres forming a hub and spoke model of care delivery pre-pandemic, to this well equipped resource centre with in-hospital care (Sri Ramakrishna Hospital in Coimbatore), and doorstep care in the comfort of home with fully equipped teams carrying all needed equipment in both Chennai and Coimbatore.
“We are delighted to be a Global First model of integrated brain and mind care emerging from Chennai, one that is focussed on mental health, neurological disability, elder care and chronic disease management across the lifespan. The future development of Buddhi Clinic will include hospital partnerships and the development of a purpose built digital platform for Do-it-Yourself caregiver facilitated care. For too long Neuro-rehabilitation, mental health care and elder care have been marginalised domains in healthcare. Our mission is to mainstream care and rehabilitation for these vulnerable populations, blending modern science with ancient wisdom,” he said.
The new centre is a global first bringing together the gamut of care models available for chronic neurological disorders, mental health conditions, and elder care. The care has been organised across four zones:
The Alchemist Zone
Buddhi Clinic has modern medicine in specific Neuropsychiatry, Integrative Medicine & Lifestyle Medicine at its fountainhead. Elegant consultations rooms for doctors, a centralised reception, clinical laboratory, neurodiagnostic facilities for brain mapping, nerve studies, sleep studies and autonomic function & fall studies are available as are a well stocked pharmacy.
The Mindfulness Zone
This has a full house of neuromodulation & brain stimulation including repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and trans-Auricular Vagus Nerve stimulation (tA-VNS).
Individualised Yoga therapy addressing chronic and disabling conditions is housed here
Individualised clinical psychology including a range of cognitive-behavioural, cognitive-retraining and holistic care paradigms as also detailed cognitive and behavioural testing (psychometry) is provided.
The Rehab Zone
This includes dedicated physio suites for pain and mobility management, a specially equipped rehab gym that patients with disability can used to exercise and strengthen; Neurodevelopmental, occupational and speech therapy suites all capable of delivering care across the lifespan.
The Holistic Care Zone
Includes dedicated suites for Ayurveda (oils, poultices, steam and herbal pastes); Naturopathy (water, mud & herbal preparations); Acupuncture, Acupressure, Reflexology and a range of pressure techniques. An unique aspect is an Ayurveda specialist trained and qualified in neuropsychiatry.
The Resource Zone comprising a dedicated and extensive library and training hall as well as a cafeteria for patients, staff and visitors.
Buddhi Clinic Advisor, A Vellayan, former Chairman of Murugappa Group, Raju Venkatraman former Chairman of Medall Healthcare, Sarala & V Krishnan (donors); Dr Rema Raghu, Raghu Venkatnarayan & Gayathri Krishnamoorthy (co-founders & directors).
Patients and caregivers also shared their experiences with the audience of professionals and lay intelligentsia who had gathered at the inaugural function.
