The Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) in Yerawada, Pune, has inaugurated a Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy machine to enhance mental health treatment services.

The therapy will provide painless and prompt treatment for patients suffering from illnesses such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among others. The facility will be available free of cost. Needy patients will be able to avail themselves of this facility for five working days, Monday to Friday.

The inauguration was done by Dr. Srinivas Kolod, medical superintendent of RMH, on Friday. The rTMS therapy is available to outpatients without the need for prior physical examinations or anesthesia. It delivers brief electromagnetic pulses to specific brain regions controlling emotions and mood, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional therapies.

This initiative positions RMH as the second government hospital in Maharashtra to offer this advanced treatment, following the establishment of a similar facility at the Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Thane.

Know all about the device

It is called Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). It delivers brief electromagnetic pulses to specific brain regions that control emotions and mood. This is a non-invasive treatment that does not require anesthesia. It can be given on an OPD basis, which does not require fasting, hospitalization, or pre-medication/pre-investigation. It is safe and works as an adjunctive treatment in major psychiatric disorders like depression, fibromyalgia, OCD, etc.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Sandeep Mahamuni, Sr. Psychiatrist Badger Prashant, CAO Rohini Bhosle, and Sister Salvina were present during the inauguration.