WFN Secretary General Election Nomination Reflections in 2026
- twijeratne8
- Sep 29, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 17
Why I Said Yes
In 2022, I was nominated for the role of Secretary General of the World Federation of Neurology.
It was a great honour. But more importantly, it prompted a simple and important question:
Why say yes?
A changing world, a growing challenge
We are living through a period of rapid global change.
People are living longer. Health systems are under increasing strain. Technology is advancing quickly, but access to care remains uneven.
In this changing landscape, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:
Brain health sits at the centre of human wellbeing.
It shapes how we think, learn, work, connect with others, and live independently.
Yet the burden of neurological conditions continues to grow:
Stroke remains a leading cause of disability
Migraine affects millions during their most productive years
Dementia is rising across all regions
Many neurological conditions are still diagnosed late or not at all
For too many people, access to care depends on where they live.
The importance of access
Across my work—in hospitals, clinics, and global collaborations—I have seen both excellence and inequity.
There are skilled clinicians and committed teams in every part of the world. There is innovation, dedication, and a genuine desire to improve care.
But access to that care is not equal.
Some communities have timely diagnosis, specialist services, and modern treatments. Others face delays, limited resources, or no access at all.
Closing this gap is one of the most important challenges in global health today.
Working together across borders
Neurology has always been a global discipline. Knowledge travels. Ideas are shared. Progress depends on collaboration.
Improving brain health requires us to:
Share knowledge across regions
Support training and education
Strengthen systems of care
Learn from each other’s successes and challenges
This is not only about advancing science. It is about ensuring that progress reaches people, wherever they are.
A sense of responsibility
For me, saying yes to the nomination was not about a title.
It was about accepting a responsibility:
To advocate for patients whose needs are often overlooked
To support clinicians working in complex and resource-limited environments
To contribute to a more connected and equitable global neurology community
A simple principle
I hold to a simple belief:
Brain health should not be a privilege. It should be part of essential care for everyone.
Looking ahead
The nomination in 2022 was one step in a longer journey.
That journey continues through clinical work, education, research, and collaboration—locally and globally.
If we keep our focus on people, on access, and on practical solutions, we can make meaningful progress.
Change in global health is rarely sudden. It is built steadily, through shared effort and sustained commitment.
We all have a role to play in improving brain health. The work continues.
— Prof Tissa Wijeratne OAM MD PhD FRACP
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