The Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital has organised a wheel-chair basketball exhibition match as part of the three-day annual rehabilitation mela for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) at the Mary Verghese Institute of Rehabilitation, CMC, in Vellore. 

The Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital has organised a three-day annual rehabilitation mela for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) at the Mary Verghese Institute of Rehabilitation, CMC, in Vellore.
 
According to a press release, the mela, which will conclude on February 16, provides medical support and activities for social reintegration of persons with SCI, rehabilitated at the institute.

The Rehabilitation mela is an annual gathering of the alumni with spinal cord injury, which is held during the third week of February. The concept of Rehab Mela was introduced in 1994 by the then dedicated team led by Dr Suranjan Bhattacharji to provide a unique space for individuals with SCI and their caregivers at the institute.
 
Through this initiative, many individuals who have walked the halls of the Institute have not only successfully reintegrated into their communities but have also excelled in entrepreneurship, parasports, government services, and advocacy, the release said.

As part of mela, medical screenings, allied health and nursing professional assessments, an exhibition on job offers for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), sports events, cultural performances, competitions, and a wheelchair basketball exhibition match was held.

The CMC also organised a psycho-spiritual discussion titled “Fallen to Rise”, health education sessions and distribution of medical summaries as part of the mela. On the occasion, Vikram Mathews, director, CMC, Solomon Satishkumar, principal, CMC, and I. Rajesh, medical superintendent, were present, the release said.