AIIMS Delhi and ALSCAS Foundation India mark Global ALS/MND Awareness Day

The Neuromuscular disorders team of the Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in collaboration with ALS Care & Support Foundation (ALSCAS) India, organised the Global ALS/MND Awareness Day event at AIIMS on 24 June 2026 to raise awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

The event brought together over 150 patients, caregivers, neurologists, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and members of the wider community to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences, and discuss evolving approaches to ALS/MND care and support.

The programme featured expert sessions by specialists from AIIMS on various aspects of ALS/MND, including understanding the disease, respiratory care, cognitive and behavioural changes, and palliative care. Speakers highlighted the importance of timely interventions, symptom management, respiratory support, and palliative care in improving the quality of life of individuals living with ALS/MND.

The programme also offered a glimpse into the future of ALS research at AIIMS. Two ALS studies are expected to commence shortly, including a natural history study, which is a Target ALS-funded project beginning in August 2026. The second is a smartphone-based ALS registry likely to be launched in September-October 2026.

The initiatives are expected to strengthen India-specific ALS research and contribute to a better understanding of the disease in the Indian context. The programme also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand opportunities for ALS clinical trials in India.