NEWS –  Karnataka state health department launched 33 brain health clinics across the state to improve care for people with neurological disorders under the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative (KaBHI), supported by Nimhans

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CLINIC

• Equipped with a multidisciplinary care team, including a physician, physiotherapist, speech therapist, psychologist, nurse and a district coordinator
• Aim – provide care for neurological problems such as stroke, epilepsy, dementia and headaches
• Includes training programmes for ASHA workers, Community Health Officers (CHOs), primary healthcare doctors and physicians to enhance neurological disorder management
• It aims to set up a statewide network of neurologists to provide expert consultation, tele-neurology and tele-mentoring services so that specialised care can be delivered at the grassroots level
• Field coordinators at the district-level will facilitate the timely diagnosis and treatment, acting as points of contact between the health centres and hospitals
• The health workers will undertake extensive campaigns to promote the brain health and educate the local communities about the prevention and early detection of the neurological disorders

KARNATAKA BRAIN HEALTH INITIATIVE

• Launched in 2022
• By Government of Karnataka Health dept , NIMHANS in association with Niti Aayog
• Doctors will be trained in screening and treating mental health patients
• Was rolled out in Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts on a pilot basis
• Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has been recently appointed as the brand ambassador