Manila launches Philippine’s first neuro rehab program

MANILA, Philippines — Bienvenido Santos, 58, a jeepney driver with a family of six, suffered a stroke that nearly killed him.

Loss of movement and control over his body are making daily activities such as eating and taking a bath frustrating for him.

Now, Bienvenido and others like him have the hope of walking and being able to move again.

The city of Manila and Robocare Solutions launched yesterday the country’s first ever Neurological Rehabilitation Center at the Ospital ng Maynila featuring the hybrid assisted limb or HAL, the first and only robotic exoskeleton that trains the brain and limbs of a patient to walk again through biofeedback.

HAL is programmed to detect faint bio-electric signals on the surface of the skin, which reflects a patient’s intention to move. The physical therapist can see these signals and adjust settings on the robot suit to amplify weak signals and focus on desired signals.

The city government rented six HAL units, which will be for the free use of patients at the hospital.