Mumbai : On World MS Day, observed today, May 30, 2025, the Mumbai Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI), in collaboration with Bombay Hospital, organized an event to raise awareness and support for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Held at the esteemed Bombay Hospital, the session aimed to shed light on the conditions and challenges faced by individuals living with MS in India. It also advocated for improved care and support systems, bringing together leading medical professionals, patient advocates, and the MS community.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Sandeep Chitnis, National Secretary, Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) said, “Multiple Sclerosis often remains an invisible burden, largely due to limited public awareness, restricted access to specialized neurologists in our tier 2 and 3 cities, and sparse diagnostic facilities. While the availability of newer disease-modifying therapies in India offers hope by slowing disease progression, significant ecosystem barriers continue to hinder patient access to these crucial advancements.
At MSSI, we are consistently advocating for government-supported reimbursement frameworks and the inclusion of MS under national insurance schemes. In the meantime, we continue our efforts to bridge these gaps by offering emotional, psychological, and financial support. Empathy, peer networks, and greater social awareness about disease-modifying treatments are crucial to enhancing the quality of life for those living with MS.”
More than 1,50,000 individuals have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in India, but the number could be more because the condition is underreported, sometimes misdiagnosed, and not well known. The condition has more reported cases in urban India, especially in northern and southern regions of India, possibly due to greater access to diagnostic facilities and heightened awareness.
After inauguration the programme saw a talk by eminent neurologist Prof. B.S. Singhal, Neurologist, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Center, Mumbai who spoke on “Living with MS.” He emphasized, “Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that most often strikes young adults, particularly women, with onset typically between the ages of 25 and 35. It can often remain undiagnosed until symptoms become disruptive, which makes early detection and timely intervention even more critical. We now have disease-modifying therapies, that, when introduced early, can significantly slow or even halt disease progression. The focus should be on making these treatments not only clinically effective but also accessible, well-tolerated, and sustainable for long-term use. With early, tailored intervention, we can change the trajectory of MS for many patients in India.”
Dr. Satish Khadilkar, Dean and Head of Department of Neurology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, said “The treatment philosophy for MS has fundamentally shifted. Earlier, we reserved potent therapies for advanced cases, but now the evidence clearly supports early, aggressive intervention. Initiating high-efficacy treatment at the outset, before disability sets in, offers the best chance to control the disease. MRI has become so precise that we can diagnose earlier, even in asymptomatic stages. Today, we treat radiologically or clinically isolated syndromes proactively. The approach is simple: act early, act decisively, hit hard. It’s better to do treat it upfront than risk irreversible disability later.”
The conference concluded with a unified and urgent call for the establishment of national standard-of-care guidelines, improved insurance coverage frameworks, timely and uniform disability assessments, and enhanced collaborative research. These measures are essential to improving the quality of life for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis across India.
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