New Delhi: Niti Aayog is set to unveil a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing brain health quality and identifying early signs of cognitive disorders and dementia. This initiative addresses the alarming rise in neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and strokes across India. A senior government official, privy to the discussions, informed ET that this project has been in development for a year and is now approaching its final stages.
“A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to finalize our roadmap, and we anticipate submitting the report to the government by the end of June,” the official shared. Several consultations have been conducted among top officials from Niti Aayog, the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IBHAS), the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, alongside private sector psychologists.
The initiative seeks to establish a service model akin to a brain health clinic, facilitating early identification of cognitive decline. This will empower healthcare professionals to engage patients proactively, enhancing their brain health and mitigating the risk of dementia over time. Moreover, experts will strategize on preventing and treating brain diseases by assessing treatment gaps and proposing necessary interventions across all healthcare levels-primary, secondary, and tertiary.
According to the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India, approximately 7.4% of Indians aged 60 and above currently suffer from dementia, a figure projected to escalate by 93% to 17 million by 2036, up from the present 8.8 million. Mental health advocates argue that initiatives like this are crucial, given the longstanding neglect of brain health issues, and promise a significant impact on managing the growing prevalence of neurological disorders.
“Mental health requires substantial attention on both prevention and intervention fronts,” emphasized Dr. Samir Parikh, a psychiatrist and the director of the department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Fortis Healthcare. “Efforts in improving access, affordability, lifestyle modifications, or establishing both digital and physical centers for early diagnosis can tremendously enhance mental health outcomes for all age groups in India.”
The World Health Organization indicates that the burden of mental health disorders in India amounts to 2,443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 individuals. Economic losses due to mental health conditions are projected to reach $1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that 15% of India’s adult population requires intervention for mental health issues, with the prevalence notably higher in urban areas (13.5%) compared to rural locales (6.9%).
As India pushes forward with this crucial undertaking, the collaborative efforts across various institutions highlight a much-needed shift in addressing brain health, promising to improve the quality of life for millions and alleviate the impending impact of neurological disorders in the coming years.
Original Source: https://m.economictimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/niti-brainstorms-to-prepare-national-brain-health-blueprint/articleshow/121555442.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-06-02 00:30:00
