About WBPMR

Who we are

The state chapter for rehabilitation medicine

As leaders of the rehabilitation team, physiatrists formulate individualized rehabilitation protocols that are implemented by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, prosthetists, orthotists, rehabilitation nurses, and other allied health professionals.

West Bengal holds a revered, pioneering position in the history of physical medicine and rehabilitation within India. The foundation of our specialty was laid right here in Kolkata, tracing back to the establishment of the department at IPGME&R in 1958. Crucially, the nation’s very first MD program in PMR was launched at the School of Physical Medicine, IPGME&R, producing India’s first post-graduate physiatrist in 1981. Building upon this rich legacy of clinical excellence, WBPMR was formally instituted in 1980 under the leadership of Dr. S. K. Banerjee and Dr. N. Sarkar. Over the decades, our association has grown from a handful of visionary physicians into a robust state network driving clinical innovation, research, and disability advocacy across the region.

Our Core Mission

At WBPMR, our core directive is to elevate the standard of rehabilitative healthcare through comprehensive, patient-centric solutions. The scope of a physiatrist’s intervention spans a diverse clinical spectrum, including neuro-rehabilitation, musculoskeletal medicine, interventional pain management, paediatric care, advanced prosthetic and orthotic prescription & cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. By leading multidisciplinary teams of allied health professionals, we aim to transform passive medical dependency into active functional independence.

Our strategic objectives focus on three primary pillars:

Academic Advancement: Fostering continuous medical education (CME), organizing annual state conferences, and spearheading clinical research to keep Bengal’s physiatrists at the vanguard of modern medical trends.

Healthcare Integration: Expanding the infrastructure of PMR from tertiary medical colleges in tier 1 cities to tier 2 and tier 3 cities ensuring structured rehabilitation reaches rural communities.

Public & Policy Advocacy: Partnering with government healthcare frameworks to streamline disability evaluation metrics, optimize national assistive device programs, and dismantle societal barriers affecting the differently-abled population.

Looking to the Future

As the medical landscape evolves, WBPMR remains focused on upgrading clinical skills across the state, standardizing protocols for interventional physiatry and expanding specialized paediatric and neuro rehab centres. We are driven by the firm belief that healthcare is incomplete without rehabilitation.

Whether you are a medical professional seeking to collaborate, a student exploring this dynamic field, or a patient seeking to reclaim your functional freedom, WBPMR serves as your trusted guide, anchor, and advocate in West Bengal. Together we move forward—restoring ability, giving hope, and transforming lives.