The Karnataka government on Friday, 22 July, launched its first Brain Health Clinic in Jayanagar General Hospital in Bengaluru on the occasion of World Brain Day.
The state government, citing a large number of people reporting brain-related issues post-Covid, has collaborated with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) to open the brain health clinic.
“The Brain Health Clinic has been started as part of Karnataka’s Brain Health Initiative (KaBHI) under the guidance of NITI Aayog,” Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar told reporters.
“Many have the stigma of visiting NIMHANS, so all Brain Health Clinics will be set up in general hospitals,” the minister added.
“The Brain Health Clinic in Jayanagar General Hospital is the first of our pilot programme. Two more will come up in Kolar, and Chikkaballapur soon,” he added.
These clinics will serve as nodal centres to diagnose, treat, refer and also follow up patients with brain health-related disorders. They will also be provided counselling, therapy, and rehabilitation facilities.
100 MBBS doctors trained
NIMHANS has trained 100 MBBS doctors to be part of the pilot programme to create brain health awareness among people.
These doctors will be further providing training to hospital support staff to better run the clinics.
Applauding the initiative, Jayanagar legislator Soumya Reddy said: “Neurological complications affecting the brain have become very common post-pandemic. Mental health and brain health are very important and need continuous care.”
Brain Health Day celebrations
NIMHANS celebrated World Brain Day with the health minister and cricketer Robin Uthappa — the brand ambassador of the state government’s brain health initiative.
A cricket match was organised in which Uthappa played cricket with patients, caregivers and NGOs. The match was held to mark support for stroke, dementia and epilepsy patients.
Neurologists in Karnataka are seeing a spike in cases of Alzheimer’s, dementia, migraines, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, brain fog, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Bell’s palsy, insomnia, and other behavioural issues.
“For overall health, it is very important to keep your brain health intact. Diseases affecting the brain are the second most reason for death in the world. This is a very good initiative by the state government.” NIMHANS Director Dr Pratima Murthy said.
What keeps a brain healthy?
- Regular exercise
- Socialising
- Proper eight hours of sleep
- Eat plenty of fruits and green vegetables
- Breathe fresh air
- Stay hydrated
- Keep other vital parameters like blood pressure, glucose, weight and stress under control
