A Brain Health Team has been established at the Patient Ombudsman.
Published Sept. 2, 2024 11:46
The team's mission is to improve the quality of life of Polish society and people affected by brain diseases, which will be in line with the activities of the Ministry of Health in the area of public health, prevention and education, and will be consistent with the directions of the European Union's health policy. The team was established due to the growing challenges associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.
Brain diseases - both neurological and psychiatric - are heterogeneous, common, disabling and difficult to treat, classified as non-communicable chronic diseases. The WHO predicts that 1 in 3 people will suffer from a neurological or psychiatric disorder during their lifetime. The impact of brain diseases poses a serious challenge to health systems, the economy, patients, caregivers and their families hence the need to urgently address the topic in a strategic manner with the involvement of the social, clinical and government sides. Izabella Dessoulavy-Gładysz, president of the Mental Power Foundation for Brain Health, was the initiator of the establishment of the Team, as well as its chairman. The work of the Team will also be led by two vice-chairs Edyta Ekwinska, vice president of Alzheimer Poland, and Monika Lada, president of the Multiple Sclerosis Info Foundation.
Brain disorders, which include both mental and neurological conditions, affect millions of people worldwide. These disorders are not only burdensome and costly, but also often diagnosed too late or underestimated for a long time, making it difficult to access necessary care or initiate treatment. Given the lack of prioritization of this area in the country's health policy, together with other organizations, we found it necessary to create a team that will work with a wide range of experts for the recognition of brain health as a priority in Polish health policy and a priority when it comes to R&D expenditures," said Izabella Dessoulavy-Gładysz, president of Mental Power.
