Ahmedabad – The patient awareness campaign, ‘Care with Compassion’ was undertaken by Cadila Pharmaceuticals and was aimed at creating awareness about Epilepsy and treatments available the illness.
A group of doctors from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (UP) took part in a social media campaign to bust the various myths associated with the neurological disorder and to urge patients to trust modern medicine stressing that epilepsy is completely curable and there is no need to panic.
“There is a need to take Epilepsy patients to neurologists rather than risking their lives by taking them to bhuvas”, Lomesh Bhirud, Neurologist at Kiran hospital said.
“Patients should get modern treatment and not the traditional rituals” urged Malay Ghodasara, Atman neurology clinic, Kansagara hospital.
An estimated, 12 million people in India are epileptics. In fact, the country is home to one of every six people suffering from Epilepsy worldwide. Around 95% people with active epilepsy do not receive appropriate treatment for their condition.
Lack of knowledge of anti-epileptic drugs, poverty, cultural beliefs, stigma, poor health infrastructure, and shortage of trained professionals contribute to the treatment gap.
Around 60% of people with Epilepsy consult a doctor after suffering a seizure. However, the corresponding number is just 10% in rural areas.
The campaign had earlier spread awareness about schizophrenia which had garnered more than 100,000 impressions.
