"This nerve and muscle center is good news for patients suffering from nerve disorders such as tingling, muscle spasms, numbness, and persistent numbness that hasn't improved despite repeated visits to doctors and hospitals. We have technology and a team of specialist doctors that are quite rare in Indonesia to handle both common and rare nerve and muscle diseases such as Pinched Nerve (HNP), Migraine, ALS, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, and FSHD, which if left untreated can cause paralysis."

Neuromuscular originates from 'neuro,' which means nerve, and 'muscular,' which means muscle. This center focuses on diseases affecting muscles due to nerve disturbances in the body. Until now, neuromuscular diseases have not received much attention because they are often overlooked and considered rare. However, the symptoms, including common ones, can be experienced, and prompt treatment can prevent paralysis.

In addition to numbness and tingling, conditions such as speech disorders, continuous bodily weakness, unexplained muscle pain, and drooping eyelids can indicate muscle disturbances caused by nerve problems. Often, sufferers receive inaccurate diagnoses because the symptoms are nonspecific and similar to various other diseases. Therefore, the presence of doctors who truly understand nerve and muscle disorders is crucial in managing neuromuscular conditions.

"We are fortunate to collaborate with Dr. Luh Ari and her team, specializing in muscle diseases due to nerve disturbances causing muscle pain, weakness, and limb paralysis such as hands and feet. Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri is proud to unite rare muscle specialist doctors in Indonesia with advanced technology such as Advanced EMG Single Fiber, Evoked Potential Test, MRI Neuro Sensitive, and DNA Genetic Laboratory, services that previously required patients to go to Singapore, but are now available in Indonesia at Mandaya, at a much more affordable cost," concluded Erwin Suyanto, Public Relation Director of Mandaya Royal Hospital Group.

Often, individuals experiencing neuromuscular complaints require a long time to receive a precise diagnosis related to their illness, typically around 5 to 30 years. One patient, discussing his journey as a sufferer of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) at the launch event, mentioned that it took him 12 years to receive the correct diagnosis.

With the team of doctors and comprehensive facilities, it is hoped that patients with neuromuscular diseases can promptly receive accurate diagnoses and thus appropriate therapies and medications. Misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment can be extremely dangerous. The neuromuscular center at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri consists of a team of 20 specialist doctors including neurophysiology consultant neurosurgeons, neurological surgery consultants, and other specialized professionals who assist in the diagnosis and recovery process, such as specialist doctors in medical rehabilitation, radiology, clinical pathology, and anatomical pathology, all of whom play a vital role in the diagnostic process.

During this occasion, Mandaya Royal Hospital also announced its commitment to helping more neuromuscular disease sufferers quickly obtain diagnoses. In collaboration with the Widaya Foundation, Mandaya has allocated funds up to Rp500,000,000 to assist patients needing access to rare genetic tests in Indonesia.

"With this assistance, we hope to open access to anyone needing genetic testing, enabling them to receive immediate treatment. Previously, these tests could only be performed abroad, but now they are available in Mandaya, Indonesia, with a quick process requiring only a blood sample," he explained.

The Mandaya Neuromuscular Center is part of the Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri's Center of Excellence, which already includes services such as Neurosurgery & Pinched Nerve Center, Pain & Migraine Center, Brain Tumor & Aneurysm Center, Cognitive & Insomnia Center, and Pediatric Neurodevelopment Center. This underscores the hospital's commitment to providing top-notch neurological care, recognized as "Hospital of The Year" by the Health Care Asia Awards 2023, delivering the best services related to neurological diseases.

As one of the leading private hospitals serving as a national referral center, Mandaya continues to expand its services to patients, including facilities for those from outside the city, island, and even overseas.

"Mandaya has long provided special services for patients from outside the city. We have a special pickup program from and to the airport, train station, or even the patient's home. We also have dedicated accommodation for families on the 8th floor, so if a patient needs inpatient care, family members who cannot stay in the patient's room can sleep in the special family room facilities we provide," Erwin Suyanto, Public Relation Director of Mandaya Hospital Group, concluded.

Undoubtedly, today's launch of the Mandaya Neuromuscular Center will bring new hope to patients who have yet to find answers to their illnesses, finding an experienced team of doctors specializing in rare diseases and gaining access to genetic tests that are otherwise difficult to obtain. Let's continue to support Indonesia's medical field and ensure the health of our beloved homeland through the hands of our nation's best sons and daughters.