Ri-Bhoi, (Meghalaya), May 18: In a remarkable achievement for the academic and research
community of North East India, Dr Yugal Kishore Mohanta, Assistant Professor at the University of
Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), has contributed to a major international research study
published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Neurology (Impact Factor: 45).
The study, titled “Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies,
1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023,” presents one of the
most comprehensive assessments of meningitis trends worldwide over the last three decades. The
research analyses the global, regional, and national burden of meningitis from 1990 to 2023,
examining its risk factors, mortality trends, and various disease-causing aetiologies.
Dr Mohanta’s contribution forms part of a large-scale collaborative effort involving leading scientists,
researchers, and institutions from across the globe under the framework of the Global Burden of
Disease (GBD) Study.
The findings of the study highlight significant progress made in reducing
meningitis-related mortality in several regions while also drawing attention to continuing challenges
faced by low- and middle-income countries where meningitis remains a major public health concern.
Speaking on the significance of the study, Dr Mohanta stated, “Meningitis continues to be a serious
health challenge, especially among vulnerable populations. The study emphasises the urgent need for
improved vaccination coverage, early diagnosis, timely treatment, and stronger healthcare systems to
effectively reduce the disease burden.”
The research further underscores the critical role of socioeconomic conditions, healthcare
accessibility, and public health interventions in influencing disease outcomes. The findings are
expected to support policymakers, healthcare professionals, and global health organisations in
formulating targeted strategies for controlling and eventually eliminating meningitis as a public health
threat.
Adding another feather to his cap, Dr. Mohanta is currently serving as a GBD Senior Collaborator at
the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Washington University. He has also been
recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, as published by Elsevier, for
his continuous contribution to scientific research.
The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya has congratulated Dr. Mohanta on this
prestigious accomplishment, stating that his involvement in such a high-impact international study
reflects USTM’s growing footprint in global research and academic excellence.
The publication is expected to become a significant reference in the field of global health policy and
epidemiological research, contributing to accelerated international efforts towards the prevention and
control of meningitis worldwide.
