Chandigarh: A critical specialised facility at the PGI, designed to restore mobility for stroke victims and the elderly, became a casualty of internal friction. The Gait Laboratory in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) department was locked for over a year, leaving hundreds of patients without the diagnostic clarity needed to walk again.At the heart of the crisis is the 3D Gait Analysis machine, a sophisticated diagnostic tool that uses infrared (IR) markers and specialised cameras to track human movement in real time. By placing markers on a patient’s joints and having them walk across pressure-sensitive floor platforms, the system provides a mathematical breakdown of walking deviations.A faulty walk can be caused by joint problems, muscle weakness, or complex neurological disorders. The 3D gait machine is the only way to pinpoint the exact cause and determine if a treatment is actually working.Previously, the department saw a daily footfall of approximately 150 patients; that number declined to just 60. With the lab closed, stroke patients who require precise analysis to undergo rehabilitation are being turned away or receiving sub-optimal care.The shutdown, dating back to late 2024, stems from a dispute over a Rs 6-7 lakh repair bill. The administration remains hesitant to renew the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for hardware that is nearly a decade old.Prof Vijay Goni, head of the PMR dept, who took over in Nov 2024, confirmed the lab’s status but downplayed its clinical necessity. “The AMC/CMC was not reviewed as some parts are not working. PGI cannot provide funds for a 10-year-old system, and the company refused the AMC,” he said, adding, “It is not a diagnostic tool; it is only for research purposes.”Beyond the hardware failure, the department is grappling with a breakdown in human resources. Prof Goni alleged that the department’s sole faculty member is not contributing to teaching or patient care. “About 80% of the department is run by physiotherapists, and the sole faculty is not teaching them as there were numerous complaints. We demanded senior residents and faculty, but none joined,” he said.
