Our Story

RIA is a rehab rebel movement!.

Who we are

Co-founders Nadia & Leo are like many of you; busy professionals who know the value of good rehab services but are frustrated by the lack of specialist services available. Their meeting was by accident. The overwhelming sentiment? Synergy?

They created RIA to address a growing need for specialist rehabilitation services. Currently in South Africa and across the continent there are no dedicated specialist

neuro-rehabilitation centres in the private or public sector that focuses on bionic technology linked to patient needs and research that addresses patient needs.

The need for accelerated, quality rehabilitation is one of the most compelling

issues of our time. It impacts all families and communities in South Africa. There is a growing demand for quality, integrated and holistic rehabilitation as client’s are aware of technology that accelerates recovery and helps promote better long term outcomes in neuro rehabilitation.


Let’s create environments where we THRIVE and not just survive.

What we do

There are many centres & therapists that offer rehabilitation services. They share some of the what but not how we do what we do.

Our partners share the what we do and work with us for our WHY and OUR WHO. WE ARE REHAB REBELS. WE are revolutionising the rehab space with the business sense to connect people in need with what matters most – THE REHAB EXPERIENCE THAT ACCELERATES RECOVERY. We spend each day sharpening our skills to ensure the best outcome for you & your family.

We are locally rooted and globally informed to bring about transformational change through accelerating the rehabilitation process. We effect change that is transferrable beyond the rehab clinic. At RIA we significantly improve therapy outcomes by accelerating client progress and ensure that our client’s can return to being active contributors to their communities.

Why we do it

Effective rehabilitation with CAREFUL ORCHESTRATION NOT by chance. We employ passion, creative tools and code, based on our knowledge and skills combined with the utilisation of cutting edge technology to build the best possible solutions for the people we work with.

We are custodians of healthcare in South Africa and if we want change we need to effect change:

  • Change mindsets from being crisis orientated and fragmented to person-centric.
  • Focus on making cutting edge technology available together with a non-blinkered mindset
  • Build human capital by investing in high-tech, comprehensive integrated rehabilitation programs.

Humans are not disabled, as a person cannot be broken, it is our built environment that is broken, we need to find ways to transcend these limitations:

(Professor Hugh Herr, MIT 2016)

Meet Our Team

One Spirit, One Team, One Win

#LET’STRANSCENDLIMITATIONS

Cultivate communication to foster collaboration & co-operation


Leo Deodutt
CEO & Director of Business Development

Mr Leo Deodutt has a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, and a Master’s degree in Taxation (UKZN), and is currently finalising his Doctrate in Business Administration at UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership. 

Leo, is a Senior Lecturer based at UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance. He is response for the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) accredited programmes. His focus areas include investments, portfolio construction, taxation, audit and risk management.

He is the former acting Head of Internal Audit (UDW) and is currently serving as the Chairman of the UKZN Provident Fund and is the Chairman of the UKZN Pension and Provident Fund’s Investment committee.

His interest in public health stems from being an active Trustee on the Health Systems Trust (HST) board. HST is a leading force in the South African Public Health arena for the last 20 years. HST played a significant role in the evolution of the new National Health System of South Africa. Leo, has a passion for developing Health care systems within the country and the SADEC region.


Nadia Bhayat
Director of Clinical Operations

Nadia Bhayat is a Neuro Rehabilitation specialist, Health & Educational consultant. She received a MSc from the United Kingdom and a Honour’s in Speech Therapy and Audiology in South Africa.

Her work includes projects across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, building and shaping services at world renowned facilities and at leading academic institutions. She has served as an advisor to governments both locally and abroad as well as facilitated several cross regional partnerships.

Nadia has pioneered the development of specific tertiary academic training programmes to ensure the sustainability of services and lead the amalgamation of social service programmes. Her project management skills includes the development of comprehensive, integrated medical & rehabilitation centres.

She is passionate about people and delivering solutions that are original and innovative


Our Partners

We partner with the leaders in FES technology to provide changes that are measurable and meaningful.