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Chennai campaign against epilepsy

By Our Staff Reporter

Chennai Nov. 16 . As part of observing the National Epilepsy Day tomorrow, the Madras Chapter of the Indian Epilepsy Association will attempt to bring all initiatives together to set Chennai in the lead at the national level to implement the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy.

The campaign was launched among others by the WHO, in 1997 to bring epilepsy `out of the shadows' to increase awareness, reduce the treatment gap and make available appropriate treatment for all those who require it. This campaign entered the second phase on February 12 this year and will extend for another four years. A free epilepsy camp will be conducted on Sunday at the Vijaya Health Centre, Vadapalani. In addition to waiving consultation and registration fees, the camp will provide medicines free of cost. All related investigations will be extended at concessional rates, according to the consultant neurologist at the centre, S.S.K. Ayyar.

Epicenttre, a city-based centre for treatment, training, research and education on epilepsy has been organising weeklong activities, including walkathons, talks, medical conferences and interactive sessions with patients and public.

In over 70 per cent of patients, epilepsy is easily treatable with drugs that will have to be taken for three to five years. Most drugs are safe in long-term use and it is possible to have minimal or no side effects. ``In view of the scientific facts about epilepsy, there is no place for fear, stigma, marginalisation of people with epilepsy who can live a full life, much like everyone else," says the Epicenttre director, Prithika.

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