In 2022, the Australian Government became a signatory to the global action plan on neurological disorders developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Loud applause for that.
But the plan calls on WHO member nations to – among other things – develop national action plans to drive much-needed change.
Three years later, we still have no Australian action plan for neurological diseases, which affect an estimated seven million Australians, including more than 33,000 Australians living with multiple sclerosis.
Perhaps our applause was premature.
On September 4, the Neurological Alliance Australia – which I have the honour to chair – will launch a blueprint for an Australian action plan for neurological conditions. And we are doing so to prompt the Australian Government into action.
The blueprint has been in development since early this year, and I am grateful for the input from dozens of neurological and neuromuscular organisations, people living with neurological conditions and many others with expertise in neurological conditions.
By launching the blueprint, we hope to nudge the Australian Government – and also State and Territory governments – into action.
Yes, the WHO plan is a ten-year plan, running 2022-31. But we are over three years into the plan, and there is little evidence of any work to develop an Australian plan.
The blueprint will effectively be a guide for what we hope will be an Australian action plan, developed with the neurological community and backed by a robust, funded implementation plan.
It should be a ‘no-brainer’ for governments on economics alone.
There is robust evidence that shows that investment in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation could generate substantial savings over the course of the global plan.
So, mark September 4 in your diary and look out for our blueprint. It will be one big call for action.
