Manesar (Haryana): President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Dec 16, 2003) said there was need for comprehensive human brain project involving countries from both the developing and the developed world to find solution for brain disorders.

"Healthcare is a necessity for both developing and the developed world. This is an area which brings the entire humanity together," he said inaugurating the National Brain Research Centre.

Stating that brain disorders would be the greatest public health threat in the next few decades as per the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s estimates, the President said a comprehensive human brain project in mission mode was required to be progressed to tackle different diseases such as depression, sleep disorders, epilepsy and schizophrenia with participation from many countries.

"The project should aim at preparing a comprehensive structural and functional map of human brain and facilitate convergence of all activities pertaining to the brain research," he said.

He also said that a collaborative clinical research programme particularly in the area of brain disorders could promote synergy among the nations leading to convergence of multiple solutions for control and management of brain disorders.

PTI