Medical experts predict significant patient surge by 2030
India is currently standing on the brink of a major neurological health challenge. Medical experts gathered in Kerala have issued a stark warning that within the next five years, the nation could host the second-highest number of Parkinson's patients globally. This alarming projection was the focal point of the 6th International Annual Symposium-2026, organised by the King's Parkinson's Research Alliance India (PRAI).
Global researchers and clinicians at the event highlighted a worrying shift in patient demographics. While Parkinson's disease in India was historically seen as an ailment affecting the elderly, data now suggests a rapid increase among younger individuals. In Southeast Asia, and particularly across Indian states, early-onset cases are becoming more frequent, affecting people during their most productive working years.
Statistics presented at the symposium reveal that nearly 40 to 45 per cent of cases in the country are now classified as early-onset, striking adults between the ages of 22 and 49. The average age of diagnosis has dropped to roughly 51 years. Doctors attribute this surge to a combination of rapid industrialisation, worsening air pollution, and evolving lifestyle habits.
Kimberley Pierce, CEO of King's College Hospital London, emphasised the urgency of the situation. She praised the proactive stance taken by local authorities, noting that joint research based in India is essential to tackle this specific regional crisis.
"We want to conduct joint research based in India... for the Indian population. The issue is young-onset Parkinson's here in Southeast Asia," Pierce stated.
Beyond the grim statistics, the symposium offered hope through innovation and cost reduction. Vinod Mehta, a specialist in movement disorders, discussed groundbreaking therapies, including a new treatment patch currently under research.
Currently, advanced treatments can be prohibitively expensive for middle-class families, often costing up to one lakh rupees per month. However, experts stress that local manufacturing could be a game-changer. By producing these medical patches domestically, the cost could plummet to a mere Rs 1,000 per month, making vital healthcare accessible to millions.
Participants concluded that tackling the rising burden of Parkinson's disease in India requires a multi-pronged approach: better public health policies, domestic manufacturing of affordable drugs, and increased awareness among caregivers and patients alike.
With Agency Inputs
