Recognising that timely intervention can often determine outcomes in neurological and other medical emergencies, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur officially unveiled its Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences at the Neurosciences Conclave held today. The conclave brought together leading specialists across neurology, neurosurgery, neurointervention, spine surgery and allied neurosciences to discuss the evolving landscape of neurological care and the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary treatment.
The growing burden of neurological disorders underscores the urgent need for timely, specialised and multidisciplinary care. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest Global Status Report on Neurology, released in 2025, highlights neurological conditions as the leading cause of ill health and disability globally, affecting more than one in three people worldwide. In India, stroke remains a major neurological health concern and was responsible for 53.5 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021, according to WHO data. With conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, neurovascular disorders and complex neurosurgical conditions requiring timely diagnosis and intervention, the need for integrated centres that bring together advanced neurology, neurosurgery, neurointervention and rehabilitation services is increasingly critical.
Against this backdrop, the Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences brings together expertise across Neurology, Functional Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Neurointervention & Endovascular Surgery, Spine Surgery, Neuro Rehabilitation, Neuro Physiotherapy, Neuro Psychology and Neuro Anaesthesia, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for the management of complex neurological disorders through evidence-based, patient-centric care.
As part of its larger commitment to strengthening emergency healthcare accessibility, Manipal Hospitals East also announced a Free Emergency Pickup Service for eligible emergency patients residing within approximately a 12-km radius of participating Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata. Under the initiative, patients assessed as requiring emergency care by the MARS Command Centre and Team MARS can avail themselves of free ambulance transportation to the nearest participating Manipal Hospital Emergency Department, subject to ambulance availability and service protocols. The initiative is particularly aimed at reducing delays in critical conditions such as stroke, heart attack, road traffic accidents, severe breathing difficulty, unconsciousness and other sudden medical emergencies, where every minute can have a significant impact on survival and recovery. The service is supported by a 24/7 technology-driven command centre, GPS-enabled ambulance fleet with constant tracking, QR-enabled location sharing through WhatsApp, professionally trained emergency response teams and top-of-the-line ambulances equipped for advanced emergency care. By facilitating faster transportation and better coordination with hospital emergency teams, the initiative seeks to ensure that lack of immediate transportation does not become a barrier to accessing life-saving medical intervention.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jayanta Roy, Director & Head – Neurology, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, said, “Neurological disorders encompass a wide spectrum of conditions, from stroke and epilepsy to movement disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and other complex neurological conditions, each requiring a precise and individualised approach. Stroke remains one of the most time-sensitive neurological emergencies, where early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can significantly influence outcomes. Through the Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences, our focus is to bring together advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatment and multidisciplinary expertise to provide comprehensive neurological care, while also strengthening awareness around the early recognition of neurological symptoms and the importance of seeking timely medical attention.”
Dr. Anindya Basu, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead – Spine Surgery, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, said, “Spine surgery has evolved significantly with the advancement of minimally invasive techniques, allowing us to address a range of spinal conditions while reducing tissue disruption, blood loss, postoperative pain and recovery time in appropriately selected patients. At Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, we are focused on adopting contemporary approaches that combine precision, technology and clinical expertise to deliver patient-centric spine care. Our Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences provides an integrated platform where complex spinal conditions can be evaluated collaboratively and patients can benefit from a comprehensive continuum of care, from diagnosis and surgical intervention to rehabilitation.”
Speaking about the role of advanced neurointervention in time-sensitive emergencies, Dr. Sukalyan Purkayastha, Director – Neurointervention & Endovascular Surgery, Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, said,
“Neurointervention has transformed the management of several complex cerebrovascular conditions by enabling highly precise procedures through minimally invasive endovascular approaches. The availability of a dedicated Biplane Cath Lab at our hospital is a significant advantage in this regard, offering high-quality real-time imaging from multiple planes and enabling greater precision during complex neurointerventional procedures. This technology is particularly valuable in the management of conditions such as acute stroke, cerebral aneurysms, vascular malformations and other neurovascular disorders, where accurate imaging and timely intervention are critical to achieving better clinical outcomes.”
Dr. Milind Deogaonkar, Director and Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, said, “The management of movement disorders has entered an exciting phase with the availability of advanced neuromodulation therapies such as Deep Brain Stimulation. At our unit, the Deep Brain Stimulation Clinic brings together specialised expertise to evaluate and manage patients who may benefit from this advanced treatment, particularly those with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. DBS requires careful patient selection, detailed neurological and neurosurgical assessment, precise surgical planning and long-term follow-up. By bringing these capabilities together within a specialised clinic, we aim to provide patients with access to comprehensive and personalised care across the entire treatment journey.”
Adding to this, Dr. Dipendra Kumar Pradhan, Clinical Lead & Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, said, “Modern neurosurgery extends far beyond conventional surgical intervention and increasingly relies on precision, advanced imaging, technology and multidisciplinary decision-making. From complex brain and spine disorders to traumatic and other neurosurgical conditions, each patient requires a carefully planned approach based on the nature and complexity of the disease. Here, our neurosurgical team works closely with neurologists, neurointerventional specialists, radiologists, anaesthetists and rehabilitation experts to ensure that patients receive coordinated care. The Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences strengthens this collaborative model and enables us to bring together specialised expertise for the management of complex neurosurgical cases.”
In the conclave, Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director, Manipal Hospitals East, said, “The launch of the Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences reinforces our commitment to providing advanced, comprehensive and integrated neurological care across Eastern India. At Manipal Hospitals, we recognise that neurological emergencies, particularly stroke, demand immediate action, as every minute can influence the patient’s outcome. With nearly 500 stroke cases occurring every day, building a system that enables rapid recognition, response and access to specialised care is critical. All our hospitals are stroke-ready, supported by multidisciplinary clinical expertise and advanced infrastructure. Through our Manipal Advanced Roadside Emergency Services (MARS) initiative and the newly announced Free Emergency Pickup Service, we are strengthening the emergency care pathway by enabling faster transportation and seamless coordination with our hospital teams. Our endeavour is to ensure that patients can reach the right specialist and receive the right intervention at the right time, thereby improving the chances of better outcomes and recovery.”
The official launch of the Centre of Excellence for Neurosciences, together with the Free Emergency Pickup Service, reflects Manipal Hospitals East India’s broader focus on building an integrated continuum of care, from rapid emergency response and advanced diagnostics to specialised intervention, surgery, rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
Through these initiatives, Manipal Hospitals East India aims to redefine emergency healthcare accessibility in Kolkata by ensuring that timely transportation is never a barrier to life-saving treatment, while reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, patient-centric care and a stronger, more responsive emergency healthcare ecosystem for the community.
