Treatment of Epilepsy

It is estimated that nearly 1/4^th of persons suffering from epilepsy may be suitable for epilepsy surgery after an extensive pre-surgical evaluation. This involves a dedicated team work consisting of neurologists (epileptologists), neurosurgeons (epilepsy surgeons), radiologist, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, nurses, EEG technologists etc. 

While health is a state subject, the Government of India supplements the efforts of State Governments to provide health services including for treatment of epilepsy. The Government centers are regularly carrying out such extensive ‘pre-surgical evaluation and epilepsy surgery’ and are located in major cities like Thiruvananthapuram (Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology), New Delhi (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), Bengaluru (NIMHANS), Mumbai (King Edward Memorial Hospital) etc. There are also a few private hospitals performing such procedures in the country.

The Government has taken following steps to overcome the shortage of neurologists:-

i.                    Increase in the number of seats by Medical Council of India in all the centers providing training in Neurology.

ii.                  Establishment of six AIIMS like institutions in the country.

iii.                Approval of Plan Scheme for upgrading two Central Mental Health Institutes to provide Neurology and Neurosurgery services.

iv.                Upgrading State Medical Colleges across the country so that these centers can impart training and services in Neurology.

The Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA) with 26 chapters across India is carrying out such activities - in the community at large and even in schools (School Epilepsy `Awareness Programme). One such programme launched at Bengaluru by Indian Epilepsy Association jointly with NIMHANS is known as “Hope on Wheel Programme” which is working to create awareness, removing the stigma and thereby improve prevention, treatment, care and services for the people with epilepsy. 

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today(31-07-2015).

Courtesy:pib.nic.in