By IANS
Agra : About 800 neurosurgeons from India and abroad who met here for a conference expressed concern over the rising incidence of neurological diseases in India and called for developing suitable medical infrastructure in small towns for prompt treatment of patients.
Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was scheduled to inaugurate Neurocon-2007 Friday evening but failed to turn up due to “some other pressing engagements.” V.S. Mehta, president of the Neurological Society of India, opened the specialists’ meet.
Mehta said: “There could be close to 25 million cases of neurological diseases worldwide by 2020. In India, the number is rising at an alarming rate and we do not have enough doctors and facilities to manage the disease.”
Organising secretary R.C. Mishra told IANS that the common man is the focus of the conference, which will continue till Dec 17.
“Stroke is the second most common cause of death after disease and 5.5 million people per year die worldwide due to stroke, and despite best medical management 50 to 70 percent of the patients remain handicapped,” he said.
Mishra said excess weight, hypertension, diabetes and addiction to intoxicants were the chief causes of neurological disorders and hence “there is a need for spreading awareness and information among the masses”.