By Dr. Man Mohan Mehndiratta, Dr. Natasha Singh Gulati, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Dr. Bhawna Sachdeva and Dr. Madhu Sinha

Figure 1. A: Dr. Man Mohan Mehndiratta, director (JSSH) in India and Prof. Raad Shakir, president, World Federation of Neurology, from London addressing the delegates through video conferencing. B: Expert panelists from various hospitals in New Delhi for World Brain Day at Janakpuri Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi C: Prof. Mohammad Wasay, chairman advocacy subsection World Federation of Neurology from Pakistan addressing the delegates through video conferencing. D and E: Patients and their caregivers attending the program.

The brain: the body’s most complex organ harbors about 80 million neurons and controls every thought and action¹. It can be affected by various diseases and disorders affecting about one billion people worldwide and causing around 6.8 million deaths annually. Neurological diseases and disorders have now been declared as a global epidemic. Knowledge and awareness of brain diseases by individuals and communities can play a crucial role in the prevention, detection and treatment, thus emphasizing outreach public health approach². Recognizing the magnitude of the burden and disability and mortality consequent to neurological disorders the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) took the initiative to celebrate the first World Brain Day on July 22, 2014¹. To take this forward and foster brain health in our community, we celebrated World Brain Day (WBD) at our Institute, Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital (An Autonomous Post Graduate Institute under N.C.T of Delhi) in Janakpuri, New Delhi, under the aegis of Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN). (See Figure 1.) In India, the day was also celebrated in cities like Indore, Nagpur, Kolkata and Bangalore.

Programs like these are very beneficial in a developing country like India where there are many barriers to the neurological education and care such as poor neurologist to population ratio, geographical barriers, illiteracy, lack of trained staff and inadequate resources³. These barriers pose a great challenge to our health care system, which can be overcome by such advocacy campaigns.

The objective of this program was

1. To emphasize the types of neurological disorders and their frequency and severity
2. To inform that most of these disorders are preventable and curable
3. To answer the queries and problems of the patients and their caregivers and understand their needs
4. To alleviate the myths and misconceptions related to these disorders
5. To serve as a platform for various national and international experts to interact with the patients and their caregivers through video conferencing and panel discussions

More than 250 persons with neurological disorder and their caregivers attended the program and asked the queries related to neurological disorders and patients felt satisfied to get the answer and to interact.

A highlight of WBD celebration was address by Prof. Raad Shakir, president, WFN, from London and Prof. Mohammad Wasay, chairman advocacy subsection, WFN, through video conferencing and distinguished faculty comprising of neurologists, epilepsy surgeon, psychiatrist and neurosurgeon from the public and corporate hospitals. Prof. Shakir and Wasay answered the issues raised by the public and the faculty members had an introduction session with the president.

Dr. Man Mohan Mehndiratta, director (JSSH) and past president, Indian Academy of Neurology, briefed about WBD and its importance, vision and mission of the institution.

Doctors from various hospitals were invited to interact with the patients. Dr. C.S. Meshram, president, IAN, could not make it because of other commitments.

The expert panelists who attended the program include: Dr. Sumit Singh, senior consultant neurologist, Medanta, Medicity, Gurgaon; Dr. Shamsher Dwivedi, Prof. and HOD, Neurology, Fortis Gurgaon; Dr. Anuj Mittal, HOD, Psychiatry, Deen Dayal Upadhaya Hospital, Delhi; Dr. (Brig.) S.P.Gorthi, senior consultant neurologist, R & R, Army Hospital, New Delhi; Dr. Rajeev Anand, senior consultant neurologist, B.L.Kapoor Hospital, New Delhi; Dr. Vikash Gupta, senior consultant, neurosurgeon, B.L.Kapoor Hospital, New Delhi; Dr. Subodh Gupta, neurosurgeon, Deen Dayal Upadhaya Hospital, Delhi; Dr.Solanki, neurosurgeon, B.R.Ambedkar Hospital; Dr. Nilesh Kurwale, epilepsy surgeon, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; and Rehabilitation Experts, JSSH.

The program continued for more than two hours and still the patients had keenness to ask several questions related to various neurological disorders. Patients, rehabilitation experts, doctors, nurses and technical staff joined for refreshment after the event. Initial feedback from patients and their caregivers included appreciation for the program and a number requested more awareness programs in future.

The Internet is a leading source of disseminating public awareness worldwide both for people seeking health information and those who access it for entertainment and social networking purpose as they are passively influenced by health associated content⁴. The function’s videos and photographs are on the video-sharing website YouTube⁵ and social networking site Facebook⁶.

In conclusion: raising awareness is an ongoing effort which is never done so IAN will continue to build strong grassroots movement all over the country to increase public understanding about neurological disorders and diseases to combat this global epidemic. The World Day program in our hospital as well as other cities in India has paved the way for future programs.

References

1.     World Federation of Neurology. Fostering quality neurology and brain health world wide. Available at:  http://www.wfneurology.org/world-brain-day Accessed on 8th August 2014.

2.     Gourie-Devi M. Organization of neurology services in India: unmet needs and the way forward. Neurol India. 2008 Jan-Mar;56(1):4-12.

3.     Mehndiratta MM, Mehndiratta P, Gulati NS, Wasay M. Heterogeneity in Neurological Education and care in Asian and Oceanian region. Neurology (in press 2013).

4.     England MJ, Liverman CT, Schultz AM, Strawbridge LM. Epilepsy across the spectrum: promoting health and understanding. A summary of the Institute of Medicine report. Epilepsy Behav. 2012 Oct;25(2):266-76

5.     World Brain Day Celebration at Janakpuri Super specialty Hospital, New Delhi on 22nd July 2014. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kceBkyP4uHs . Last Accessed on 23rd August 2014

6.     World Brain Day Celebration at Janakpuri Super specialty Hospital, New Delhi on 22nd July 2014. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janakpuri-Superspeciality-Hospital/465836126847575?ref=br_tf . Posts to page. Last Accessed on 23rd August 2014

By Vida Demarin       

Public health action during World Brain Day in Croatia.

In celebration of the first World Brain Day, the Croatian Stroke Society in cooperation with Zagreb’s Institute for the Culture of Health, Associations of People’s Health Andrija Å tampar, Society for Neuropsychiatry and the Student Council of the Faculty of Medicine in Zagreb, organized a public health action in Zagreb, Croatia, on July 27, 2014.

The public health action, which was held on Kvaternik’s square in the center of the city of Zagreb, was to celebrate World Brain Day by promoting the activities of the associations and to raise the awareness among community that brain diseases are mostly

Volunteers measuring stroke risk factors.

preventable and that actual perception of the brain should be changed. The day’s activities included measuring stroke risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. More than 250 people have measured their stroke risk factors, and more than 1,000 promotional materials were distributed during a day.

TV broadcasting with Prof. Vida Demarin during public health action.

Prof. Vida Demarin, president of the Croatian Stroke Society and the Zagreb’s Institute for the Culture of Health, was a guest at a TV and a radio show dedicated to celebration of World Brain Day. She pointed out the necessity of such activities in promotion of brain health and prevention of brain diseases.

The community response was more than great, even though it was time of summer vacations in Croatia, which encourages us to continue with such activities in the future.

By Dr. Chandrashekhar Meshram and Dr. Sanjeev Thomas

On July 22, 2014, the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) launched the first World Brain Day – Our Brain, Our Future. It was dedicated to bring more attention to the importance of human brain in health and disease and highlight the need to prevent the neurological and psychiatric illnesses prevalent in the society. In India, the first World Brain Day was celebrated under the aegis of Indian Academy of Neurology all over the country with great enthusiasm. The banners, brochures and press release from WFN were circulated to all IAN members. The event helped in spreading the awareness regarding brain health, brain diseases and their prevention. A breakdown of how different centers celebrated activities follows.

Nagpur

Dr. Chandrashekhar Meshram, president, Indian Academy of Neurology, convened the meeting of neurologists, neurosurgeons, physicians, psychiatrists and media. It was decided that looking at the magnitude of the issue deserves more than one day so the activities were held for the whole week. A press conference was held on July 18 and a press release in English and local languages was distributed to media. Accordingly, on July 22, a symbolic rally walkathon was organized in the city which was flagged off by Commisioner of Police, K.K. Pathak. Three hundred persons including doctors, school children and senior citizens wearing World Brain Day t-shirts and caps, holding banners and playcards participated in the rally despite the rain. An interview with Dr. Meshram was broadcasted by Aii India Radio.

Three billboards carrying the message of World Brain Day were displayed at prominent places in the city.

Lectures for common public and interactive sessions were organized at ESIS Hospital, Government Medical College and Hospital, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital on July 23-30, respectively. Dr. Poornima Karandikar, Dr. Pravir Waradkar, Dr. Avinash Joshi, Dr. Fulare and Dr. Anand Saoji delivered the lectures and answered questions .

On July 25, a program was organized at Dayanand College. Dr. Meshram presented Talks on Brain Health Supreme Wealth and Neurosurgeon Dr. Nilesh Agrawal presented on Head Injury. It was attended by 500 college students, their parents and teachers.

On July 26, a large public forum was organized at IMA Auditorium. Members of parliament Vijay Darda and Ajay Sancheti and Senior Neurologist Dr. G.M. Taori graced this occasion and addresed the gathering. Dr. Meshram highlighted the importance of World Brain Day celebration. Lectures on stroke, dementia, brain functions, epilepsy and head injury were delivered by Dr. Dinesh Kabra, Dr. Prafull Shembalkar, Dr. Poornima Karandikar, Dr. Sangram Wagh, Dr. Nilesh Agrawal and Dr. Lokendra Singh. Dr Nitin Chandak showed clippings of movies.The program was attended by about 400 people. Television channels covered the program and televised it.

On July 27, a painting competition for school children was organized in collaboration with Basoli group. 150 children from 65 schools displayed their creativity on the theme “Our Brain — Our Future.” 11 prizes were given to the students by Girish Gandhi and Dr. Meshram.

Visits to the Brain and Mind Museum were organized daily for students and common public. Specimens of human brain and some animal brains were shown, while brain structure, function and manifestations of various diseases were explained to visitors with the help of models and charts by neurologists, psychiatists and neurosurgeons.

World Brain Day and Brain Awareness week was celebrated under the aegis of Indian Academy of Neurology in collaboration with Nagpur Neuro Society, Indian Psychiatry Society Nagpur branch, Indian Medical Association Nagpur, Academy of Medical Sciences Nagpur, Nagpur Union of Working Journalists and Basoli Group.

The activities for the whole week were extensively covered by all newpapers in the city with publlication of articles, interviews, news items and photographs.

Janakpuri Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi

World Brain Day was celebrated at Janakpuri Superspeciality Hospital on July 22, 2014, under the aegis of Advocacy Subsection of Indian Academy of Neurology. More than 250 persons with neurological disorders and their caregivers attended the program and asked the queries related to neurological disorders. The activity was organized by Dr. Man Mohan Mehndiratta, past president of Indian Academy of Neurology. Dr. Sumit Singh, Dr. Shamsher Dwivedi, Dr. Anuj Mittal, Dr. (Brig.) S.P.Gorthi, Dr. Rajeev Anand, Dr. Vikash Gupta,Dr. Subodh Gupta, Dr.Solanki and Dr. Nilesh Kurwale participated in the panel.

A highlight of the World Brain Day celebration was the address by Prof. Raad Shakir, president, WFN, from London, and Prof. Mohammad Wasay, chairman advocacy subsection, WFN, through video conferencing and distinguished faculty comprising of neurologists, epilepsy surgeon, psychiatrist and neurosurgeon from the public and corporate hospitals. Prof. Shakir and Wasay answered the issues raised by the public, and the faculty members had an introduction session with the president.

Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantt

World Brain Day was celebrated by Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantt on July 24, 2014, due to service commitments. The program was chaired by Maj. Gen. CS Narayanan, dean, Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi, and the following talks were delivered.

1. Neurology from Bench to Bedside – Brig. SP Gorthi, professor and head of department of neurology
2. Approach to Headache – Dr. Sumit Singh, professor neurology, Medanta Medicity
3. Deep Brain Stimulation in Movement Disorders – Dr. Vinay Goyal, professor neurology at AIIMS

The program was well attended.

A cap was released in honor of the occasion to popularize the day.

In addition, stroke club was organized on July 25 and multiple sclerosis meet was organized on July 28 as part of promotion of World Health Day.

The event was organized by Brig. S.P. Gorthi, Col. Y. S. Sirohi, Lt. Col. Pawan Dhul and the Neurology Team at Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi.

NIMHANS, Bangalore

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS) at Bangalore, a premiere institute in the country dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders is also committed to promoting positive mental health. NIMHANS has established a unique facility “Center for Wellbeing” away from the hospital environment, but managed by NIMHANS’ senior faculties from the Departments of Social Psychology and Psychiatry to counsel the seekers in psychological stress. NIMHANS has been actively involved in assisting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India in planning and execution of National Mental Health Programs, especially in the areas of neurotrauma, epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. NIMHANS has also established Human Brain Bank for research and Neuropathology Brain Museum to promote public awareness about neurological disorders and the strategies to prevent them.

Keeping in the spirit of World Federation of Neurology, NIMHANS celebrated World Brain Day – Our Brain, Our Future on July 22, 2014.

An event was organized at Neurobiology Research Center, NIMHANS, addressing 200 school children and teachers who visited the Human Brain Museum. In addition, a few from the general public and senior citizens also joined the celebrations. We dedicated this first celebrations to the children in whom we are kindling curiosity in the field of neurosciences. The students were from Class X and XI, preparing to enter college, thus representing the young minds who can participate in leading the country.

Director/Vice Chancellor Prof. P. Satishchandra and In-charge Registrar Prof. S.K.Chaturvedi, professor of psychiatry, addressed the students highlighting the need to understand the brain-mind axis and their role in neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, they stressed healthy living by proper food intake, exercise and strictly avoiding addiction forming drugs. The session was interactive; the students actively participated in the discussion.

Dr. S.K. Shankar, emeritus professor, neuropathology and principal coordinator of Human Brain Bank, addressed the gathering on the topic “Let Us Learn Neuroscience Together” talking through the evolution of nervous system in animals and human and human brain in disease states. Subsequently, the structure of the human brain and the internal anatomical areas with their physiological and psychological functions were demonstrated using the human brains collected at autopsy with informed consent of close relatives.

“Human Brain in Health and Disease” was conducted showing the real human specimens, including the human articulated skeleton. The faculty, post doctoral fellows of Department of Neuropathology, staff of Human Brain Bank and volunteers from Neurovirology Department explained the specimens in an interactive basis. Finally the young students were thrilled touching the real human brain, heart, lung, kidney and intestine and had the real feel of the organs in their hands.

Simultaneously, the College of Nursing, NIMHANS organized a day-long exhibition with health awareness posters in English/Kannada and human brain specimens in the outpatient section of the hospital. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof.Lalitha, head of the Department of Nursing. The faculty and the tutors of nursing college actively participated taking the knowledge about the brain to the common man visiting the hospital for treatment.

The public greatly appreciated the opportunity to see and touch the real human brain and fruitful discussion about food habits, the common infections of nervous system and the useful strategies to prevent them.

The Director/Vice Chancellor visited the exhibition organized by the Nursing Department and appreciated their efforts for taking the knowledge to the common man.

NIMHANS, Bangalore, decided to continue the tradition with greater scientific inputs in the future as well.

St. Paul College, Kolkata

The Institute organized the World Brain Day in a prominent school locally at Burdwan on July 22.

It was attended by students from class six and above along with teachers. Dr. Shyamal Kumar Das and two of his residents gave nice speeches about nervous system and their importance including basic illness such as epilpesy, stroke, dementia, etc. The meeting was well organized by the school authorities. It was a very stimulating experience, and the students and teachers enjoyed the program.

We have planned to celebrate next year as well.

Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Kolkata

World Brain Day was celebrated at Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Kolkata, on July 22 under the aegis of World Federation of Neurology and Indian Academy of Neurology. The goal was to increase the awareness regarding common neurological diseases. The half-day program consisted of a seminar where eminent neurologists of the city discussed on topics like stroke, epilepsy, dementia and neurotrauma. The seminar was attended by about 75, including doctors, patients, social workers and press.The event was organized by Dr. Arabinda Mukherjee, president elect, Indian Academy of Neurology.

The event was extensively covered by print and electronic media like Times of India and Door Darshan TV .

Madras Medical College, Chennai

World Brain Day was celebrated at Madras Medical College. Dr. Bhanu, head, Institute of Neurology, welcomed the gathering. Dean Dr. Vimala delivered the presidential address. Dr. A.V. Srivasan, emeritus professor, Dr. Lakshmi Nrasimhan, Dr. S. Balasubramanian spoke on the importance of brain functions. The event had wide media coverage in The Hindu, dinamaalar, dinathandhi etc. About 200 people participated and benefitted.

It is a good initiative to talk more on protection than on treatment of illness, though that is also important.

Mumbai

The first World Brain Day with the theme of Our Brain – Our Future was celebrated by Epilepsy Foundation India, on the July 22, 2014. Chief guest Dr. B. K. Upadhyay, Jt. Commissioner of Police, (Traffic) inaugurated and Dr. Nirmal Surya chaired the program.

A total of 150 people attended the program, most of them were patients suffering with epilepsy and other neurological disorder and their caregivers.

Dr. Nirmal Surya, founder trustee and chairman of Epilepsy Foundation in his presentation, informed the audience about the brain, its function and its disorder and how the injury to brain can affect the individual life in local and regional language. He also explained about the early intervention and treatment in disease like stroke epilepsy and head injury.

Dr. B. K. Upadhyay, Jt. Commissioner (Traffic) Mumbai, Chief Guest was delighted to be part of this function. He mentioned the importance of protecting brain while riding a bike, using a seatbelt while driving car and obeying traffic rules. He made the audience aware about following four simple traffic rules and stressed the need to safeguard your brain like gold, which is the most important organ of body. In the end, there was a session where the audience participated to know more about brain and its disorders.

Varanasi

World Brain Day was celebrated at the Department of Neurology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, a central government university, on July 22 under the aegis of advocacy subsection of Indian Academy of Neurology.

About 150 persons with neurological disorders and their caregivers were present.

Prof. M.K. Thakur, Prof. R.K. Goel, Prof. Deepika Joshi, Prof. S.P. Singh, Dr. N.K. Agarwal, Dr. V.N. Mishra and Dr. R.N. Chaurasia participated in the activity. They addressed the public and gave knowledge about our brain and its importance in life and how we can keep our brain healthy and answered the questions asked by public.

Rohatak

On the occasion of World Brain Day, Dr. Pawan Sharma organized public awareness program in Rohtak.

Indore

On the occasion of the first World Brain Day Neuro-Club Indore and Rotary Club of Indore Uptown organized a series of lectures at secondary schools where Dr. Apoorva Pauranik addressed hundreds of adolescents (class 10-11-12) about the anatomy and physiology of brain along with introduction for common neurological diseases. The presentation and interaction was lively and interesting with the help of charts, posters and models. The curiosity, intelligence, inquisitiveness of the boys and girls was impressive.

Karimnagar

World Brain Day was celebrated in Vijaya Hospital. Dr. E. Pawankumar conducted awareness program on hospital premises on the  importance of brain and disorders of brain, mainly stroke, epilepsy and head injury and risk factors in our local language i.e telugu. Around 100 people were educated and given advice to prevent brain diseases.They really appreciated the program, and it was a grand success.

He prepared 4,000 posters about symptoms, risk factors, prevention and treatment of stroke and pasted it across various public places, offices and local hospitals in our entire district to bring awareness about stroke and received good feedback from many people.

The event was also celebrated at other centers, but they were late in sending the report.We would like to compliment WFN for this very impotant public health initiative. It was the best way to reach out to the people and interact with them.Some members expressed that they did not get enough time to organize the activity to their potential and expectations. We are sure next year the event will explode and reach greater heights as some members have already started planning.

Following the accreditation of the Center of Rabat as a training center of African neurologists, the Department of Neurology at the Mohamed V University hosted Dr. Mohamed Albakay from Mali Sept. 9, 2014, as the first African intern.

Albakay received a grant  from the World Federation of Neurology  of 12,000 Euros to cover the stay in Rabat, the accommodation, a return ticket Bamako-Casablanca and health insurance.

Following the agreement between the WFN and the Moroccan  Foundation Against  Neurological Diseases, the scholarship of Albakay will be managed by the foundation.

Albakay has already begun his training in electromyography in the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology of the Hà´spital des Specialtés, headed by Prof. Rida Ouazzani. During this stage, he also experienced the expertise of the team in the diagnosis of myopathies and peripheral neuropathies.

The second part of the course will take place in the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology of Mohammed-V Military Hospital, headed by Prof. Hamid Ouhabi. This department is well known for its expertise in EEG, video EEG and in the treatment of epilepsy.

Albakay may participate in the various multidisciplinary staffs organized by our department.

Furthermore, the Moroccan Society of Neurology decided to support his participation to the Maghrebin Congress of Neurology that will be held Nov. 13-15, 2014, in Agadir.