IHIF Story
2007
Established
in
A dark day in February 2005 left the royal family of Jodhpur on tenterhooks. HH Maharaja Gaj Singh’s son, Shivraj Singh, an avid polo player, fell of his horse during a polo match and sustained severe head injuries that had him in a coma for months and in a wheelchair for years. It was a taxing time for him and his family.
Shivraj’s indomitable spirit coupled with the care and support of his family, turned this seemingly dark situation in to that of hope. In all this, Shivraj had a special advantage. His family was able to provide him with timely brain trauma care, excellent rehabilitation facilities, and the expertise of dedicated and capable therapists. This carefully co-ordinated prognosis, professional care, and rehabilitation helped him on his long and arduous journey toward a remarkable recovery.
India is dubbed the ‘Head Injury Capital of the World’ with over 150,000 lives lost due to head injuries every year. 95% of trauma victims don’t receive optimal care in the ‘Golden Hour’, the first hour after an injury is sustained, and due to this more than half of these lives are lost. Unfortunately, the Indian medical infrastructure is inadequately prepared, both in trained personnel, as well as in affordable treatment and rehabilitation, when it comes to cases of TBI.
The Maharaja experienced this matter first-hand. He realised that despite the scale of the problem of head injuries in India, only a few private hospitals offer high-end and expensive trauma care. These institutions remain inaccessible to most ordinary citizens.
With efforts to bridge this seemingly insurmountable gap with infrastructure for rapid response and treatment of TBI, Maharaja Gaj Singh founded the Indian Head Injury Foundation (IHIF) in February 2007. His aim is to provide Indians, especially those who do not have extensive resources, with optimal aid immediately after sustaining injuries, avail neuro-critical care and finally neuro-rehabilitation, while also empowering the families of these victims, and spreading awareness on the prevention and care of TBI.
What We Do
Awareness & Prevention – Pre-Hospital Care – Rehabilitation
At the Indian Head Injury Foundation (IHIF), our mission is to foster the development of a comprehensive brain trauma care system in India — one that spans from prevention to recovery.
India has one of the highest rates of head injury in the world. To address this alarming reality, IHIF works on multiple fronts:
- Raising awareness about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its devastating impact.
- Promoting road safety and educating communities, especially students, about safe driving practices and helmet use.
- Building capacity in pre-hospital care, ensuring immediate and effective first response during the critical “Golden Hour.”
- Providing world-class neuro-rehabilitation through our four specialized centres in Delhi, NOIDA, Patna, and Jodhpur.
Over years of dedicated work, IHIF has learned that while treatment and rehabilitation are vital, it is prevention and timely pre-hospital intervention that save the most lives. By training first responders, police personnel, drivers, and community volunteers, we ensure that victims receive prompt and life-saving assistance even before reaching a hospital.
We also advocate for the implementation and enforcement of road safety laws, recognizing that sustainable change requires both awareness and accountability.
IHIF’s holistic approach covers the four key aspects of head injury and brain trauma:
- Physical – Addressing the immediate injury and medical management.
- Cognitive – Restoring thinking, memory, and concentration.
- Emotional/Behavioral – Managing mood and personality changes post-injury.
- Functional/Neurological – Rebuilding movement, speech, and daily functioning.
Through Awareness, Prevention, Post-Crash Management, and Neuro-Rehabilitation, IHIF remains committed to saving lives, restoring independence, and giving hope to survivors and their families.
Major Activities Conducted by IHIF
Awareness & Prevention of Road Traffic Accidents
Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of head injuries in India. IHIF works with schools, communities, and road users to spread awareness through campaigns, expert-led sessions, safety demonstrations, and distribution of BIS-certified helmets. Together, we aim to make roads safer for children and families.
Post-Crash Management Training
Every second counts in the “Golden Hour.” IHIF trains medical professionals, police personnel, cab drivers, students, and community workers in life-saving skills such as CPR, airway management, safe transportation, and bleeding control. This preparedness improves survival rates and reduces long-term complications.
Comprehensive Neuro Rehabilitation
Rebuilding lives after traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and neurological conditions requires expert care. IHIF’s fully equipped centres in Jodhpur, Delhi, Noida, and Patna provide advanced therapies, robotic rehabilitation, and peer mentoring to help survivors regain independence and confidence.
Assistive Technology Support
Mobility means dignity. IHIF’s Assistive Technology Donation Program provides wheelchairs, prosthetics, tricycles, crutches, and adaptive aids to empower para-athletes and individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. These mobility solutions help beneficiaries reclaim independence, participate fully in society, and even achieve financial self-reliance.
