Advancing medical science holds promise for people suffering from epileptic feats with surgery to cure the disease on the anvil, experts said at a seminar held to mark the National Epilepsy Day at the Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital here on Tuesday.
“Epilepsy is a common neurlogic problem plaguing mankind from time immemorial but its link with superstitions has made the situation worse,” Akash Dasnayak, film star and legislator, said while addressing the seminar.
He pointed out that the superstitions were mostly prevalent in the rural areas where people continued to suffer though effective treatment for such ailments was available.
SOA University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amit Banerjee said lack of knowledge and awareness was the biggest hurdle in the fight against epilepsy.
Eminent neurologist Prof RN Sahu spoke as the chief guest. The experts pointed out that unfortunately people chose to approach Tantriks and Babas for cure instead of seeking medical assistance though it cost them both time and money.
Epilepsy is a medical condition which was treatable with newer modalities of investigation like CT, MRI, EEG, video EEG, ambulatory EEG and a range of pharmacotherapy being available, Dr Soumyadarshan Nayak, neurologist said.
The seminar, organized by the neurology department of IMS and Sum Hospital, was also addressed by Medical Director of IMS and Sum Hospital Prof DK Roy, head of neurosurgery in the hospital, Prof. Sureswar Mohanty, Dr Subhranshu Sekhar Jena and Dr PK Upadhyay.