CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, Aug 23: The Director of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi Dr Kameshwar Prasad has been invited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to join its Advisory Group on Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use (STAG-MNS).
Notably, Dr Prasad is going to be the only neurologist from India in the group.
With mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions on the rise globally, WHO sought experts to serve as members of the STAG-MNS. These experts will advise the WHO Director-General on issues related to mental health, neurological disorders, substance use and addictive behaviours.
Notably, MNS disorders encompass a wide range of conditions of the brain from depression to epilepsy to alcohol abuse. It constitutes over 10 per cent of the global burden of disease and about 30 per cent of the non-fatal disease burden. Despite this mental and brain health and substance use are given less priority in the health agendas of most countries and not only this it languishes behind most other health concerns in the global health funding arena as well.
Dr Prasad with his vast experience in the field of neurology will be an asset to the group. He is known as an advocate of Evidence-based Healthcare (EBHC). He was awarded the fourth highest civilian honour the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Meanwhile, during the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2021, the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 was decided to be extended till 2030 with updated implementation options and indicators. The STAG-MNS will support WHO’s leading role in advancing SDG 2030 health-related targets mentioned in 3.4 and 3.5 which focus on promoting mental health and wellbeing and also strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
The advisory group, represented by members from a broad range of disciplines and technical areas of expertise relevant to mental and brain health as well as substance use will work towards identifying current and future challenges, strategic directions to be prioritized, development of global strategic documents and propose other strategic interventions and activities for implementation by WHO. Each member will be appointed to serve for a period of two years.
