By Atoyebi Nike
The World Health Organisation has raised the alarm that neurological disorders are responsible for over 11 million deaths globally every year. The agency is calling on governments to take immediate, coordinated action to address what it described as a growing public health crisis.
The warning came with the launch of WHO’s Global Status Report on Neurology on Tuesday, which revealed that more than 3 billion people, representing over 40 percent of the world’s population, are affected by neurological conditions. Common conditions include stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, and epilepsy.
WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control, Dr Jeremy Farrar, said urgent steps are needed to improve access to neurological care. He noted that many of these conditions can be prevented or treated, but health services remain inaccessible to millions, especially in rural and underserved communities where stigma and financial barriers persist.
The report found that only one in three countries has national policies addressing neurological diseases, while just 18 percent of WHO Member States allocate dedicated funding for neurological care. Low-income nations have more than 80 times fewer neurologists than high-income countries despite carrying a heavier disease burden.
WHO warned that weak health systems, poor awareness, and underfunded research are slowing progress. It urged governments to prioritize neurological disorders in health policies, expand access to care through universal health coverage, and promote brain health across all stages of life.
In Nigeria, experts have also raised concerns about the rising burden of brain-related illnesses. In January 2025, consultant neurologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Temitope Farombi, warned that neurological disorders in the country could triple by 2030. He attributed this trend to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, which are increasingly common.
He said one in four Nigerians has hypertension and one in six has diabetes, conditions that significantly increase the risk of neurological problems such as stroke, epilepsy, insomnia, depression, and other brain disorders.
WHO warned that without decisive action, the global burden of neurological disorders will continue to grow, worsening inequalities and leaving millions without adequate care.
