The Working Group on PD

The Working Group on PD was formed by the World Health organisation (WHO) in 1997, to develop guidelines for the WHO-led international efforts to control PD.

The group originally consisted of leading specialists in PD from Argentina, Austria, Canada, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA, as well as representatives from the EPDA. In order to fully reflect the WHO regions of America, Europe, East Mediterranean, Africa, South East Asia and Western Pacific, membership has since increased to include India, Japan, and Jordan. Annual meetings have been held alongside World PD Day celebrations in Spain, USA, Argentina, Japan, Russia and India.

The aims and objectives of the group have been to develop a Global PD Alliance, to utilize the expertise of the membership working in partnership with lay organisations within the WHO regions, and ultimately transfer the 'Charter for people with PD' into a Global Declaration

“ With the increase in life expectancy, the number of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease is on the rise in India. The patients and the caregivers look up to the voluntary organisations like the newly founded 'Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Society' for help and guidance. The Global Declaration will strengthen the hands of such support groups throughout the world to improve the quality of life of patients with this disabling disease. ”

Dr B S Singhal, Organizing Chairman, 7th World Parkinson's Disease Day International Symposium