“When a patient from Kochi walks into my clinic — having tried every medication, sometimes having already had surgery elsewhere — my first responsibility is to understand their story completely and give them an honest answer. Not to offer a procedure. DBS is not for everyone. But when it is the right answer, and when it is done with the right infrastructure, it can give someone their life back.” — Prof. Dr. Paresh K. Doshi
If you or a family member in Kochi is living with Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, Dystonia, OCD, or another movement disorder — and you are considering Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or MRgFUS (Focused Ultrasound) treatment — this page is written for you.
Many patients from Kochi and Kerala choose to travel to Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai for evaluation and treatment under Prof. Dr. Paresh K. Doshi. The reason is specific: the SUSY stereotactic system, QSM neuroimaging, and a 750+ DBS programme spanning 28 years do not exist at any other clinical programme in India.
Kerala’s high medical literacy means patients from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur are typically among the most thoroughly researched. They travel to Jaslok because the SUSY stereotactic system and QSM neuroimaging are not available locally.
When searching for a DBS specialist for patients from Kochi, the questions that matter are not about titles or certificates. They are about verifiable facts:
Prof. Dr. Doshi’s answers: 750+ DBS surgeries personally performed at a single centre since 1998. SUSY stereotactic system — only programme in India. QSM neuroimaging — only clinical programme in India. Seven-specialist multidisciplinary team. Personalised DBS approach with 15 days of pre-surgical preparation per patient.
The precision of DBS and MRgFUS depends on the quality of the surgical infrastructure as much as on the surgeon’s skill. At Jaslok Hospital, Prof. Dr. Doshi’s programme offers three capabilities unavailable at any other clinical centre in India — or in Asia:
Prof. Dr. Paresh K. Doshi is not simply experienced in DBS. He is the surgeon who introduced DBS to India in 1998 — and has maintained the country’s most active and continuously evolving programme for 28 years.
On surgery counts: Prof. Dr. Doshi’s 750+ figure represents DBS procedures personally performed by him at a single centre over 28 years — not aggregate numbers across multiple hospitals, multiple surgeons, or multiple sites. When comparing DBS surgeon experience, this distinction is clinically significant.
The following video provides an introduction to Prof. Dr. Paresh Doshi and his approach to personalised DBS — presented by an independent third party, not by the programme itself.
Prof. Dr. Paresh Doshi — Pioneer of DBS Surgery in India. India’s first DBS programme, 1998. 750+ procedures. SUSY stereotactic system. QSM neuroimaging. Personalised DBS approach.
Prof. Dr. Paresh Doshi’s DBS and MRgFUS programme is housed within the Department of Neurosurgery at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, 15 Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Pedder Road, Mumbai — one of India’s oldest and most respected medical institutions.
Jaslok Hospital has maintained a teaching and research affiliation with leading international institutions and is the institutional home of India’s first and oldest DBS programme. The hospital’s infrastructure — including dedicated neuroimaging suites, sterile surgical theatres, and critical care facilities — supports the standard of care the DBS programme demands.
Full programme details on the Jaslok Hospital website:
Approximately 1,200 km — 1.5 to 2 hours by flight.
Cochin International Airport has multiple daily flights to Mumbai (1.5 to 2 hours). The team coordinates appointments and provides accommodation guidance for accompanying family.
The team assists patients from Kochi with:
“Travelling from Kochi to Mumbai for DBS surgery was a significant decision for our family. The team guided us through every stage, from the initial consultation to the surgery and follow-up appointments. We appreciated the clear communication and the care we received throughout the journey.”
“We came from Kochi to explore whether DBS surgery was the right treatment option. The doctors explained the procedure, expected outcomes, and recovery process in detail, helping us make an informed decision. We felt supported by the medical team throughout our experience.
Also Researching MRgFUS Treatment in Kochi? — Read This First
Many patients researching treatment for Essential Tremor or Parkinson’s disease encounter MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound) as an alternative to DBS. At Jaslok Hospital, Prof. Dr. Doshi’s team offers both. This means your evaluation is unbiased — the recommendation is based entirely on what is right for your specific condition and goals.
Patients from Kochi and Kerala researching MRgFUS treatment in Mumbai will find that Jaslok Hospital offers both MRgFUS and DBS with a full clinical evaluation.
MRgFUS is non-invasive — no incisions, no implanted hardware. Focused ultrasound energy guided by real-time MRI creates a precise lesion in the thalamus to suppress tremor. For carefully selected patients with Essential Tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease, the result can be rapid and significant — often visible during the procedure itself.
Limitations of MRgFUS — essential to understand
MRgFUS vs DBS — direct comparison
Factor | MRgFUS | DBS |
Procedure | Non-invasive. No incision. | Implanted device. Small incision. |
Reversibility | Permanent — NOT reversible | Fully adjustable and reversible |
Bilateral treatment | One side only | Both sides possible |
Conditions | Tremor only | Parkinson’s, Tremor, Dystonia, OCD, Epilepsy, more |
Adjustable over time | No | Yes — programmable for life |
Evidence | 5-year data | 20+ years global; 28 years at Jaslok |
Gold standard | Select ET patients | ALL movement disorders |
DBS surgery at Jaslok typically ranges from ₹13 to ₹30 lakhs. MRgFUS ranges from ₹8 to ₹12 lakhs — comparable to the best Kerala hospitals with superior infrastructure.
Step 1 — Remote Assessment: Share medical records, MRI reports, and medication history by WhatsApp (+91 99309 90777) or email. The team reviews and advises on how to plan your visit efficiently.
Step 2 — In-Person Evaluation: Comprehensive evaluation including neurological examination, levodopa challenge (Parkinson’s patients), neuropsychological assessment, QSM neuroimaging review. 15-day personalised pre-surgical preparation if surgery is recommended.
Step 3 — Honest Decision: Prof. Dr. Doshi and the multidisciplinary team give you an honest recommendation — DBS, MRgFUS, medication adjustment, or no surgery. No procedure is recommended unless genuinely indicated.
Step 4 — Surgery at Jaslok: DBS performed using SUSY stereotactic system and QSM-guided planning. MRgFUS performed as a day procedure. DBS patients stay 5 to 7 days.
Step 5 — Programming and Follow-up: DBS programming begins 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively. Patients from Kochi typically visit Jaslok 2 to 3 times in the first year, then annually. Follow-up by WhatsApp between visits.
Can patients from Kochi consult Prof. Dr. Doshi remotely before travelling?
Yes. Share medical records, MRI, and medication list by WhatsApp (+91 99309 90777) or email. The team will review and advise on whether in-person evaluation is recommended and how to plan the visit.
Do patients from Kerala travel to Mumbai for DBS when Kerala has good hospitals?
Yes. Patients from Kerala are usually very well-informed and travel to Jaslok specifically for the SUSY stereotactic system, QSM neuroimaging, and the 750+ DBS programme — infrastructure not available in Kerala. The flight from Kochi is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
What makes personalised DBS at Jaslok different from other centres?
Prof. Dr. Doshi’s personalised DBS approach involves 15 days of pre-surgical preparation — including 3 days of inpatient assessment — to understand each patient’s specific symptom profile, identify the optimal DBS target and system, and select programming parameters that will serve this patient over the next 10 to 15 years. Most centres apply a standard protocol. The personalised approach is what produces durable outcomes.
What is the difference between DBS and MRgFUS?
DBS is adjustable, reversible, and can treat both sides. MRgFUS creates a permanent brain lesion, treats one side only, and addresses tremor only. DBS is the gold standard for most movement disorders. MRgFUS is a valuable option for a specific subset of patients with Essential Tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Prof. Dr. Doshi’s team evaluates both options and gives you an unbiased recommendation.
What is the DBS surgery count and how does it compare?
Prof. Dr. Doshi has performed 750+ DBS surgeries personally at Jaslok Hospital since 1998 — procedures personally performed by a single surgeon at a single centre. DBS surgery counts are not regulated in India and can be reported inconsistently — aggregate figures across multiple hospitals, multiple surgeons, or multiple sites can appear to inflate experience significantly. This distinction matters when comparing.
Is DBS or MRgFUS covered by insurance?
Many health insurance policies now cover DBS surgery. MRgFUS coverage varies. Jaslok Hospital’s billing team assists with pre-authorisation documentation. Please share your policy when contacting us.
Contact the Jaslok DBS team today. Remote consultation is available before you travel from Kochi.
Contact | Details |
Phone / WhatsApp | +91 99309 90777 |
pdoshi@neurologicalsurgery.in | |
Hospital | Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, 15 Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Pedder Road, Mumbai 400026 |
Programme at Jaslok | jaslokhospital.net/speciality/dbs-surgery-mumbai |
Appointment | neurologicalsurgery.in/appointment/ |