About World Brain Day

World Brain Day 2021 is dedicated to multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological disease that affects 2.8 million people of all ages globally. Disease-modifying treatments slow the progression of MS, yet access to these medications is unavailable in many parts of the world. This World Brain Day, let’s work together to stop MS by diagnosing earlier, providing better access to life-changing treatments, and advocating for improved quality of life for those living with MS and their caregivers. Join the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the MS International Federation (MSIF) on July 22, 2021, as we share vital information about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of MS.

World Brain Day Celebration in India

By Chandrashekhar Meshram, JMK Murthy, Nirmal Surya, U Meenakshisundaram

The theme "Stop Multiple Sclerosis" of this year's World Brain Day by World Federation of Neurology was pertinent for patients of Multiple Sclerosis, their caregivers, family physicians and general public and therefore there was lot of enthusiasm about the event. Indian Academy of Neurology had organised public education activities to give information about patient care, education, and additional research for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. This neurological disease impacts every aspect of a person's life, with effects ranging from cognitive impairment to significant physical disability. The disease is usually less discussed in public meetings therefore the theme carried a lot of significance.

World Brain Day was cerebrated throughout India, on 22^nd July. Due to ongoing COVID pandemic, the campaign was mainly through print and electronic media with virtual meetings in different cities of the country.

Dr.Chandrashekhar Meshram Past President of Indian Academy of Neurology and chief coordinator of Public education activities of IAN, issued the press release. Articles giving Information about Multiple Sclerosis were published in 8 newspapers.

Indian Academy of Neurology had conducted a public education and awareness activity on Multiple sclerosis , through a virtual meeting in the form of panel discussion on 22nd July. President of World Federation of Neurology Prof. William Carroll was the chief guest. Prof Carroll in his address mentioned that in last 25 years the world of multiple sclerosis has been transformed by the steady success of diseases modifying therapies. However the cost of therapy is prohibitive even for people in developed countries. We must strongly advocate the Governments, WHO and Pharma to develop supply and distribution chains to those currently excluded from DMT. Director of neurosciences, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, Prof Bhim Sen Singhal inaugurated the event. He mentioned that we are diagnosing multiple sclerosis much more due to new tools like MRI at affordable cost. He stressed on the importance of increasing awareness of MS so that diagnosis is made early, disability is prevented and did hope that drugs will be available to the needy. President of IAN Dr J M K Murhty, IAN President Elect Dr Nirmal Surya from Mumbai and IAN Secretary Dr U Meenakshisundaram from Chennai were present prominently. Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram, made opening remarks and introduced the faculty.

Experts in the field of Multiple Sclerosis like Dr Lekha Pandit from Mangalore , Dr Rohit Bhatia from New Delhi, Dr Dheeraj Khurana from Chandigarh , Dr Netravathi from Bangalore and Dr Tapas Kumar Banerjee from Kolkata were the panellists. Dr Sumit Singh from New Delhi moderated the session. Various aspects of multiple sclerosis were discussed and questions from the audience were answered during the session.

Mumbai - On this occasion Epilepsy Foundation in association with National Health Mission, Govt. of Maharashtra organized "ASHA Sensitization Program on Epilepsy- Part II" for Asha's workers. The session was chaired Dr Vijay Kandewad, Jt Director Technical NHM. Dr N Ramaswami commissioner health services and mission director Govt of Maharashtra inaugurated the event. Dr Satish Pawar addl mission director NHM also addressed on the occasion by Chairman of Epilepsy foundation Dr Nirmal Surya explained about the activities of Epilepsy foundation including camps organised throughout the year. Dr Tissa Wijeratne, Chair of World Brain day of WFN highlighted the importance of World brain day and explained about this year's theme stop Multiple sclerosis. Dr Mamta Bhushan Singh from New Delhi, Dr Nandan Yardi from Pune , Dr Nilesh Kurwale from Pune and Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram from Nagpur addressed on this occasion.

Dr M A Aleem from Trichy gave an interview on how Multiple Sclerosis patients can deal with covid which was published in newspaper.

These public education activities would help in better understanding of multiple sclerosis and improving outcome for the patients.