HT Correspondent
MORIGAON, Nov 25: As part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about epilepsy, GNRC Hospital, Guwahati, organised a press meet at the Morigaon Press Club on Tuesday. The initiative aims to educate the public about the disease, reduce social stigma and encourage timely diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Prasenjit Deka and Dr Paranjyoti Barman, leading neurologists from GNRC, highlighted that over 300,000 people in Assam suffer from epilepsy, including 10,000 cases in Morigaon district. Of these, 4,000 patients from Morigaon are already receiving treatment at GNRC Hospital. The doctors noted that while epilepsy can manifest in more than 40 different symptoms including fainting, tremors, sudden freezing, unusual visual or auditory experiences, tongue biting and temporary loss of consciousness most cases remain undetected or untreated, particularly in rural areas where misconceptions about the disease persist.
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“Many rural residents attribute epilepsy to supernatural causes due to lack of awareness,” said Dr Deka. “Early recognition of symptoms and timely medical intervention can control more than 70% of cases. Proper medication, monitoring and follow-up are crucial and patients must never stop treatment without a doctor’s guidance.”
The experts also stressed the importance of public knowledge about first aid during an epileptic episode. Patients should be provided with space, kept safe from surrounding hazards and no objects should be inserted into their mouths during a seizure. For the remaining 30% of patients whose seizures are not fully controlled by medication, advanced diagnostics such as video EEG, MRI and surgical evaluation can offer effective treatment options.
Dr Barman added that children are particularly vulnerable to the disease and lack of timely intervention can significantly affect brain development. GNRC Hospital, equipped with experienced physicians, neurologists and state-of-the-art facilities, provides comprehensive treatment including surgical intervention for select patients.
The campaign, which involved a team of doctors travelling with fully equipped vehicles also emphasised that media awareness plays a key role in dispelling myths and informing the public about epilepsy and its management. Over 200 people, including local residents, students and media representatives, participated in the programme, which was moderated by Mamoni Goswami, Assistant Manager of Marketing and Brand Promotion at GNRC Hospital.
The initiative underscores GNRC Hospital’s commitment to improving epilepsy care, spreading awareness and creating a more informed and supportive community for patients across Assam.
