Dr. Rajesh Iyer warns of rising multiple sclerosis burden, calls for national priority on early, advanced care

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BENGALURU, JANUARY 18, 2026

Dr. Rajesh Iyer, Senior Consultant Neurologist at Poorna Neuro Superspecialty Clinics and Honorary Consultant to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI), Bengaluru, has underlined the critical importance of early diagnosis and timely access to high-efficacy therapies to prevent disability and improve quality of life among people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological condition that primarily affects young adults in their most productive years.

Speaking at “Navigating MS Together”, an awareness and advocacy programme organised by the MSSI Bengaluru Chapter in collaboration with the Rotary Action Group Against Multiple Sclerosis (RAGAMS), Dr. Iyer cautioned that delayed diagnosis and sub-optimal treatment could lead to severe disability and reduced life expectancy. The programme, held at the Rotary House of Friendship in Bengaluru on January 17, brought together neurologists, policymakers, Rotary leaders, caregivers and people living with MS to highlight the need for greater visibility, dignified living and systemic reform in MS care across India.

The discussions focused on the evolving MS landscape in the country, addressing persistent challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialised neurological care, lack of standard treatment protocols, inadequate insurance coverage and the absence of uniform disability assessment guidelines. Experts also deliberated on recent advances in MS management, particularly the growing role of high-efficacy therapies, which are increasingly recognised for their ability to slow disease progression, reduce relapses and preserve long-term independence when introduced early.

To deepen understanding of the lived realities of MS, the event featured experiential zones under the “Walk In My Shoes” campaign, offering participants a first-hand perspective on the physical, cognitive and sensory challenges that people with MS navigate daily. The initiative aimed to foster empathy while reinforcing the need for policies that recognise the invisible and fluctuating nature of the disease.

Highlighting ecosystem gaps, Arun Mohan, Vice President of MSSI India, said the MS care landscape in India continues to face multiple obstacles, including lack of accurate prevalence data, a shortage of specialists, inadequate insurance coverage and unclear disability recognition frameworks. He noted that early induction of high-efficacy therapies can significantly reduce hospital visits, long-term rehabilitation needs and healthcare burden, while enabling better treatment adherence and minimal disruption to education, work and family life.

Emphasising the role of sustained advocacy and cross-sector collaboration, Rtn. Shankar Subramanian, Chairperson of the Rotary Action Group Against Multiple Sclerosis (RAGAMS), India Chapter, said MS remains an invisible illness to the public eye despite its profound impact on individuals and families. He added that initiatives such as *Navigating MS Together* and *Walk In My Shoes* seek to build awareness, understanding and a more inclusive support system through collaboration between patient groups, clinicians and policymakers.

Providing a clinical perspective, Dr. Iyer said multiple sclerosis is a complex neurological disorder that can lead to significant disability if not treated adequately. He noted that nearly half of patients risk becoming wheelchair-bound within 15 years without appropriate treatment and that life expectancy among MS patients in India remains lower than in Western countries. However, with growing awareness and the advent of newer high-efficacy therapies, he said most patients can now lead active, independent lives. He stressed that reducing diagnostic delays and ensuring universal access to advanced treatments must become a national priority.

With over two lakh people estimated to be living with MS in India, most between the ages of 20 and 40, the programme reiterated the urgent need for standard-of-care guidelines and updated disability assessment frameworks that acknowledge invisible symptoms and the relapsing-remitting nature of the disease, reinforcing the message that timely intervention and coordinated action can transform MS outcomes in the country.