Roche Pharma India, in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, has launched NeuroSakhi, a patient support and awareness initiative aimed at strengthening care systems for women living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the state. The programme seeks to improve disease awareness, enable early diagnosis and enhance long-term care support for patients navigating the chronic neurological condition.

The initiative was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Punjab Government and Roche Pharma India at the Punjab Civil Secretariat. The event was attended by Punjab health minister Balbir Singh along with senior health officials and neurologists.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and can lead to progressive disability if not diagnosed and treated early. In India, an estimated 1.8 lakh people are living with MS, with nearly 2,900 patients reported in Punjab. The disease most commonly affects individuals between the ages of 20 and 40 and disproportionately impacts women, who account for nearly 70 per cent of cases. Despite increasing awareness globally, many patients in India continue to experience delayed diagnosis, fragmented care pathways and limited access to sustained treatment and support.

The NeuroSakhi initiative aims to bridge these gaps by strengthening collaboration between healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers. Under the programme, an expert group led by the Department of Neurology at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh (PGIMER) will guide the development of evidence-based treatment pathways to support early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy.

As part of the care delivery model, PGIMER Chandigarh will function as the central clinical hub, while Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot will serve as regional centres, enabling coordinated multidisciplinary care for MS patients across the state.

The programme will also focus on improving access to disease-modifying therapies and high-efficacy treatments through government formulary inclusion and sustainable funding mechanisms. Additionally, state-wide training programmes will be conducted to strengthen physicians’ ability to identify early MS symptoms, ensure timely referrals and adopt evidence-based treatment practices.

Under the collaboration framework, DMER Punjab will oversee implementation and governance of the initiative across the state, while PGIMER Chandigarh will provide clinical and academic leadership. Roche Pharma India will serve as a knowledge and technical partner, supporting scientific exchange, capacity building and evidence generation.

Initially planned for a one-year period, the NeuroSakhi initiative aims to build a coordinated care ecosystem for MS patients in Punjab and could potentially be expanded to other states across India in the future.