The science of neurology in India has been on constant progress over the last 60 years. While the department of neurology was seen to be established far back in the 1950s, even today only a handful of neurology programs exist. Now, in the country with 1.4 billion people, 2500 neurologists serve the country. This amounts to one neurologist for one million people. This is an indication of inadequacy. Though the pioneers have played their part in establishing the respective programs and the department of neurology India, this hasn’t kept to the changing requirements. Understanding this inadequacy and to cater to the changing requirements neurology in India is taking up the pace is in the phase of growth.
The rising demand for neurologists and neurosurgeons
The neurological disorders and neuro-infections that are associated with poverty are somewhat declining but the epidemic of non-communicable neurological disorders is surging. This has called for more neurologists and neurosurgeons. With the rise in concern of patients having dementia, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, and other age-linked diseases in the Indian population, basic neurology care is being established in various parts of the countries. This clearly states that the future of neurology in India is bright with a landscape of opportunity wide open.
Training positions have increased significantly in light of this from 30 in 1990 to 450 which accounts for up to 15 fold increase. But according to the Indian Academy of neurology, the need for trainees is still high. Also, the available neurologists are concentrated in the metropolitan cities of the country. The demand for equipping the neurologist with computed tomography machines and other equipment in the villages of India so that every individual encountering stroke that has to be thrombolysed is given the right care. This is a sharp indicator of a better future in neurology India.
The growth of technology and techniques
As in any field, the field of neurology is also seeing a vast adaptation of new techniques and technology for diagnosis and treatment. The incorporation of nanotechnology and more concentrated techniques has changed the phase of surgeries performed. The incorporation of nanotechnology, the functional imaging of the brain has improved to the point where doctors can now completely understand the bioelectrical and biochemical fluctuations of the human brain. But the rise of technology calls for more skill and knowledge. The existing training has to prepare doctors to meet the requirement of the modern era. Now only a few hospitals are enriched with skilled surgeons who have expertise in handling world-class equipment and knowing complex techniques.
community awareness; coordination between different care centers that are primary, secondary, and tertiary care centers; telemedicine; emphasis on rehabilitation; and development of community care and inpatient rest centers is the way to move forward in the field of neurology. No matter the improvement of innovation, the future of neurology can blossom only if the huge difference between demand and supply of neurologists is bridged.
Bottom line
Neurology India has a blossoming future when everything from coordination between care centers, skill, and knowledge of doctors, technology, and techniques for diagnosis and treatment travels on the same track. Top hospitals in India are on the journey of achieving the same.
