Karachi: Noted neurophysician of the country and President Epilepsy Foundation of Pakistan Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui has stressed for adopting the habits that keep our brain healthy.
In a statement on World Brain Day, she said one must never forget that if the heart gives your life, the brain gives that life meaning. She said brain health is not just for the elderly - it's a lifelong commitment that starts in the womb and lasts to the very end.
Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui said from toddlers to seniors, every brain matters. "Let's stop ignoring brain health until it's too late." She said: "You brush your teeth every day - why not protect your brain with the same urgency?"
She said good brain health isn't a luxury. It's a right - and it begins with awareness, prevention, and access for all. She said neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide - and most are preventable or manageable if detected early.
Dr. Fowzia said: "Mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being are pillars of brain health - not separate from it." She said on World Brain Day, we remind the world: healthy brains build healthy societies. "Age is not a barrier to brain health - but inaction is." She said this year the theme of the World Brain Day 2025 is "Brain Health for All Ages". This is more than a slogan - it is a global call to action.
She said from the earliest days of life to the most advanced years, the brain shapes how we move, learn, connect, and thrive. Yet, brain health remains one of the most under-recognized aspects of overall well-being - often ignored until damage is done. She said WHO defines brain health as: The state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioral, and motor domains, allowing a person to realize their full potential over the life course, regardless of the presence or absence of disorders."
Across the world, neurological conditions are now the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death. Stroke, epilepsy, dementia, migraines, mental health conditions, and neurodevelopmental disorders affect people in every country, at every stage of life.
Dr. Fowzia said this year, we emphasis in early life interventions to support brain development; lifelong brain-friendly habits like sleep, nutrition, activity, and learning, and equitable access to neurological care, regardless of age, gender, income, or geography. She said brain health is not a privilege. It is a public health priority. It begins with education, advances through prevention, and is sustained by care that includes every segment of society - from children in schools to elders in care homes.
She called on governments, health professionals, communities, and families to commit to protecting brain health at every age and every stage. Because a healthy brain is the foundation for a healthy life - and a thriving future for all. She said it's time to prioritize brain health the way we prioritize heart health. The future depends on it. She said the brain is not just an organ - it is the library of our memories, the canvas of our dreams, and the command center of our compassion. Those who care for it are not just healers - they are guardians of human potential.