Brain well-being

The Center has set up a ‘National Task Force on Brain Health’ to address the growing concerns surrounding neurological disorders in India. Archana Jyoti speaks to her Chairman and Director of IHBAS, Dr. RAJINDER K Dhamija, and reveals the impact of the task force on healthcare

In low- and middle-income countries, 43 percent of children under the age of five face challenges in achieving their development potential due to factors such as extreme poverty and stunted growth.

This not only results in financial losses, but also portends a 26 percent reduction in annual income during adulthood. Against this disturbing backdrop, the government’s top think tank Niti Aayog has come forward to set up a high-level panel to formulate policies for primary, secondary and tertiary level hospitals in the country. Led by Dr RK Dhamija, who is also director of the Delhi-based Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Services (IHBAS), the task force consists of nine members.

They are Dr. Manjri Tripathi, HOD Neurology, AIIMS Delhi, Dr. Veena Kalra, Ex-Professor and Head of Pediatrics, AIIMS Delhi, Dr. Rabinder Singh, Neuro-Rehabilitation Scientist, ICMR, Rajib Kumar Sen, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, Indrani Kaushal, Economic Adviser, Union Ministry of Health. the others are Radhika Chakravarthy B and Rajesh Yadav, Joint Secretaries of the Union Ministry of Social Welfare and Justice, and Dr Suvarna of NIMHANS, Bangalore.

Excerpt from the interview:

Dr. Dhamija, could you please tell us more about the establishment of the National Task Force on Brain Health and its objectives?

Thanks for letting me be here. The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022-2031 at its 75th General Assembly. This provides the vision, purpose, guiding principles and strategic objectives with their areas of action and objectives for the Member States. India, a major economic power, has also signed this resolution, which proposes a series of proposed actions for member states. The task force is in line with the WHO resolution and is in response to the growing challenges posed by neurological diseases, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The primary objective is to address the gaps in accessibility and quality of brain health care at all levels of healthcare in India, from Aayushman Arogya Mandirs to district hospitals and tertiary institutions.

How do you think it will have an impact?

As I mentioned, the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders and disparities in access to healthcare in different segments of society were important motivating factors in the creation of this central task force. The government recognized the urgent need for a coordinated effort to address these issues comprehensively. Through the task force, we aim to recommend actionable steps to strengthen the healthcare system, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and promote neurological health through preventive measures.

Can you explain some of the specific challenges or gaps in brain health care that the task force aims to address?

Certainly. A major challenge is the unequal distribution of healthcare resources, especially in rural and underserved areas. This leads to inequality in access to specialized care and diagnostic facilities for neurological disorders. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness among the general population about neurological disorders, which often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment. The task force will work to bridge these gaps by recommending strategies to improve healthcare infrastructure, increase awareness, and build the capacity of healthcare providers. Here I would like to mention that at IHBAS, we have established Neurolliative Care OPD services to identify and respond to the changing needs of patients and caregivers, with the aim of improving their quality of life, improving well-being and overall psychosocial functioning through through a holistic multidisciplinary approach. .

What are some of the key priorities or areas of focus for the task force, especially in the coming months?

Your brain allows you to think, feel, communicate, move, coordinate, remember, make decisions and live a productive life. That’s why it’s so important to keep it healthy and that will be our panel’s priority. We will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state of brain health care in India, including an analysis of existing policies, infrastructure and resources. Based on this assessment, we will develop a series of actions and make recommendations to address the identified gaps and challenges. The panel must submit a report by July 15, 2024.

How do you see the task force contributing to the broader goal of improving brain health care in India?

Our ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and effective healthcare system that meets the needs of all individuals affected by neurological disorders. Through collaboration with government agencies, healthcare providers and other stakeholders, we aim to build a more resilient and responsive healthcare system that prioritizes brain health for all. Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide, causing approximately 9 million deaths annually. The prevalence of neurological disorders underlines their significant impact: 1 in 3 people are expected to experience such conditions during their lifetime. These conditions are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO position paper, launched on August 9, 2022, provides a detailed framework for understanding brain health and the importance of optimizing brain health for all.

What is the status of brain health in India compared to the world?

In India, as in many parts of the world, issues related to brain health pose significant challenges that require urgent attention. Although specific data on the status of brain health in India compared to the rest of the world may vary, neurological disorders in India are increasingly recognized as a major public health problem. Conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, headache disorders, Parkinson’s disease and dementia place a significant burden on individuals, families and healthcare systems.

Furthermore, disparities in access to healthcare and infrastructure are widespread in India, especially in rural and underserved areas. The limited availability of specialized professionals, diagnostic facilities and trained paramedics in healthcare pose significant challenges to individuals seeking diagnosis and treatment.

Due to lack of awareness and understanding of neurological disorders among the general population in India, patients are diagnosed late. Furthermore, inadequate treatment and social stigma place an even greater burden on affected individuals and their families. Socio-economic factors such as poverty, limited education and inadequate access to healthcare contribute to the burden of neurological disorders in India.