NIMHANS Bengaluru Bags WHO’s Nelson Mandela Award

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024 to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, and Professor Bontle Mbongwe from Botswana.

Joint Recipients of the 2024 Award

The 2024 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion recognizes two distinguished recipients:

Professor Bontle Mbongwe: A renowned public health advocate from Botswana, Professor Mbongwe has been a passionate tobacco control activist. Her efforts led to the amendment of Botswana’s Control of Smoking Act in 2004, significantly restricting smoking in public places to protect children, pregnant women, and workers. The amendments also raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, prohibited sales to individuals under 18, and banned tobacco advertising and promotion.
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS): An institute of national importance under the Union health ministry of India, NIMHANS is recognized for its comprehensive approach to mental health and neuroscience, encompassing clinical care, training, research, and community involvement.

Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion

Established in 2019, the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion aims to honor individuals, institutions, and organizations that have made significant contributions to health promotion. The award, presented by the President of the World Health Assembly alongside the WHO Director-General and a representative from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, includes a plaque awarded during a special ceremony at the World Health Assembly.

Candidates for the award can be nominated by any national health administration of a WHO Member State or by former recipients of the award. An Award Selection Panel reviews the nominations and proposes recipients to the WHO Executive Board, which makes the final decision.

The Legacy and Impact of NIMHANS – Historical Background

Founded in 1847 as the Bangalore Lunatic Asylum by Dr. Charles Irwing Smith, the institution was renamed the Mental Hospital in 1925, marking a shift in the approach to mental health care.

The All India Institute of Mental Health was established in 1954, and in 1974, it merged with the Mental Hospital to form NIMHANS. In 2012, NIMHANS was declared an Institute of National Importance by the Indian government.

Contributions to Mental Health and Neurosciences

NIMHANS is a leader in mental health and neuroscience, delivering state-of-the-art clinical care and spearheading numerous initiatives:

National Policies and Strategies: Collaborates with central and state governments on policies such as the National Mental Health Policy (2014), the Mental Healthcare Act (2017), and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022).
Youth Empowerment: Engages young people through district youth-empowerment centers, reaching approximately 6 million youth and bridging gaps between young people, their families, and society.
Child Protection and Mental Health: Leads a national initiative for child protection and mental health, impacting over 3 million individuals.
Community Mental Health First Aid: Trains and accredits community volunteers in mental health first aid, with 18,000 gatekeepers trained to identify and intervene in suicide risks.
Digital Initiatives: Launched the Digital Academy, offering courses to 2,500 healthcare providers, and established a national helpline for psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, it launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS) to provide equitable and high-quality mental healthcare across India.

Way Forward

The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion 2024 celebrates the exceptional contributions of Professor Bontle Mbongwe and NIMHANS in advancing public health and mental health advocacy. Their efforts reflect a commitment to improving health outcomes and fostering a culture of well-being, aligning with the spirit and legacy of Nelson Mandela. As they continue their vital work, their impact will undoubtedly resonate across communities, setting a benchmark for health promotion worldwide.

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