In a landmark push to strengthen neurological care, the Punjab government has joined hands with Roche Pharma India to launch NeuroSakhi, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at supporting women living with multiple sclerosis (MS) across the state.

 

The programme — focused on improving awareness, care pathways and patient support — was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Punjab Government, and Roche Pharma India at the Punjab Civil Secretariat. 

 

The agreement was signed in the presence of Balbir Singh (Health Minister - Punjab), Kumar Rahul (Principal Secretary – Health), Hitinder Kaur (Director – Health Services), Rupinder Bakshi (Joint Director – Medical Education & Research) and Dheeraj Khurana (Professor of Neurology, PGIMER Chandigarh).

 

MS is a chronic neurological disorder that attacks the central nervous system and can lead to progressive disability if not diagnosed and treated early. An estimated 1.8 lakh people are living with MS in India, including nearly 2,900 patients in Punjab.

 

The disease most often strikes between the ages of 20 and 40 — the prime of life — and disproportionately affects women, who account for nearly 70% of cases. Beyond visible disability, MS carries a heavy “invisible” burden — debilitating fatigue, vision disturbances, cognitive impairment and severe neurological symptoms that are often misunderstood or overlooked.

 

For many women, the condition emerges during a critical phase of life when they are building careers, raising families and shaping their futures — making the physical, emotional and social toll even more profound. Despite rising global awareness, patients in India frequently face delayed diagnosis, fragmented care pathways and limited access to sustained long-term support.

 

The NeuroSakhi initiative aims to close these gaps by strengthening awareness, building patient support networks and improving engagement between healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers across Punjab.

 

The programme will focus on several key pillars designed to improve diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.

 

Expert-Led Clinical Guidance: An expert group led by the Department of Neurology at PGIMER Chandigarh will guide the development of evidence-based treatment pathways and recommendations for early diagnosis and timely treatment initiation.

 

Hub-and-Spoke Model for Care Delivery: PGIMER Chandigarh will function as the central clinical hub, while Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot will serve as regional spokes, enabling coordinated multidisciplinary care for Multiple Sclerosis across the State.

 

Improving Access to Advanced Therapies: The initiative will work toward improving the affordability and accessibility of disease-modifying therapies and high-efficacy treatments through government formulary inclusion and sustainable funding mechanisms.

 

Capacity Building for Healthcare Professionals: State-wide training programs will strengthen the ability of physicians to identify MS symptoms early, ensure timely referrals and adopt evidence-based management practices. As part of this effort, PGIMER Neurological Society will support training for Government Medical Colleges serving, through a hub-and-spoke model.

 

Under the collaboration framework, DMER Punjab will lead statewide implementation and governance, PGIMER Chandigarh will anchor clinical and academic leadership, and Roche Pharma India will act as a knowledge and technical partner, supporting scientific exchange, capacity building and evidence generation.

 

The initiative will initially run for one year, with the potential to be expanded and replicated across other states in India.