Oman’s Healthcare Milestone: Aster Al Raffah Launches Groundbreaking Robotic Rehabilitation Centre
The state-of-the-art “Walk Again” facility is set to transform neuro-rehabilitation across Oman, the GCC, and beyond.
In a pioneering leap for the region’s medical landscape, Aster Al Raffah Hospitals & Clinics has officially unveiled the Walk Again Advanced Robotic Rehabilitation Centre—a cutting-edge facility that is redefining recovery for patients with neurological, spinal, and musculoskeletal conditions. Located in the heart of Al Ghubra, Muscat, this first-of-its-kind private centre in Oman ushers in a new era of innovation-led care.
The centre was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Salim Al-Mandhari, Undersecretary for Planning and Health Regulation at Oman’s Ministry of Health, alongside key figures from Aster DM Healthcare, including Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, Mr. Shailesh Guntu, Mr. Rahul Kadavakolu, and Dr. Sachin Kandhari, CEO of Walk Again India.
Spanning three levels, the multidisciplinary facility is built to serve both paediatric and adult patients, providing a comprehensive suite of robotic rehabilitation technologies previously only available abroad. It addresses a wide spectrum of conditions—from stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury, to cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and motor neuron diseases.
A Revolution in Recovery
At the heart of the centre’s innovation is the Cyberdyne HAL exoskeleton—a breakthrough Japanese technology that enables mobility-impaired patients to walk again by detecting bioelectric signals from the body. Alongside it, systems such as Recoverix Pro (a brain-computer interface for stroke and MS rehabilitation), Vibramoov (for gait and balance recovery), and Luna EMG (a neuro-muscular retraining platform), provide patients with a highly individualised, science-driven path to recovery.
Advanced therapies include Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)—offering hope for those living with movement disorders and treatment-resistant epilepsy. These are complemented by Functional Electrical Stimulation and robotic-assisted occupational therapy, ensuring a truly 360° rehabilitation model.
A Centre of Excellence for Oman—and the Region
Helmed by Dr. Ali Al Balushi, Consultant Vascular Neurologist & Neurointerventionalist, the facility is staffed by a team of internationally accredited specialists in neurology, orthopaedics, spine, and rehabilitation medicine. It’s not just a hospital—it’s a regional hub for clinical excellence, research, and education.
“This is more than just a facility—it’s a beacon of hope,” remarked Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare. “We’re proud to make world-class, US FDA-approved technologies available here in Oman, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad for complex care.”
Adding to this, Ms. Alisha Moopen, Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, noted: “Our mission has always been to humanise healthcare through innovation. With this centre, we are making transformative treatment accessible, and placing Oman on the map as a global destination for medical excellence.”
Elevating Oman’s Global Standing in Health Innovation
The launch aligns with the Sultanate’s broader vision to become a destination for specialised medical services, attracting patients from across the GCC and African nations. As Dr. Sachin Kandhari of Walk Again India put it, “Through our partnership with Aster, we are bringing the future of neuro-rehabilitation to the present. This facility is built on global best practices—and local commitment.”
More than just a treatment facility, Aster Al Raffah Walk Again is set to engage in international medical conferences, clinical research, and cross-border collaboration, further strengthening Oman’s role as a progressive player in healthcare innovation.
In every way, this launch marks a transformative chapter—not just for patients seeking to walk again, but for the future of healthcare in the Middle East.
