Epilepsy Awareness Programme held to mark International Purple Day

Ludhiana, May 29, 2019: In view of ‘International Purple day’ Department of Neurology has organised “Epilepsy Awareness Programme” today at DMC College Campus. Ms Cassidy Megan, founder of Purple day, Halifax, Canada has graced the occasion who has come to India for epilepsy awareness campaign at various locations. Concept of Purple day by Cassidy Megan The concept of Purple Day founded by Ms Cassidy Megan, in 2008 when she was 9 year old and was motivated by her own struggle with epilepsy. First Purple Day event was held on March 26, 2008 and is now known as the Purple Day for Epilepsy campaign. Cassidy is the first person who has taken an initiative for epilepsy awareness campaign worldwide. Main purpose of Cassidy is to get people talk about epilepsy and dispel the myths, to increase general public awareness, empower the individuals living with epilepsy and remind those who live with seizure are not alone and they can live normal life. This year Cassidy has come to India with this goal for conducting epilepsy awareness campaign and covered these cities- Mumbai (26th March), Indore (27th March), Ahmadabad (28th March), Ludhiana (29th March) & will cover the Chennai on 31stMarch. The Purple Day is held annually on 26th March. Supporters are encouraged to wear a purple-coloured item of clothing. Lavender (and thus its colour purple) is strongly associated with epilepsy because it has even been proven to act as a central nervous system relaxant and anticonvulsant. The event was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr Parvinder Pal Singh Sidhu, CMO, Ludhiana and lauded the efforts of the DMC&H, for taking an initiative to conducting this informative programme and said that three level of sensitization programme, are also conducted for primary care physicians, auxiliary nurse midwifery (ANMs) and Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) workers by the DMCH with the motive to provide home-based care for the patients. Secretary Sh Prem Kumar Gupta said that DMC actively involved in providing care to the poor people with epilepsy. Though an ICMER grant upto 10 lakh of worth to provide medications to the people with epilepsy across the city. The Project known as CIFE (Community Interventions for Epilepsy) has been started since 2017. DMC is also very proactive and provides pre surgical evaluations and care for the people in whom epilepsy is not controlled by medications. In his address,Sh Prem Kumar Gupta said that DMCH Management has granted Rs.15 lacs annually for the poor and needy patients suffering from epilepsy Dr Gagandeep Singh (Professor & HOD Department of Neurology) said that the main purpose of conducting this event to reduce the social stigma related to epilepsy and empower the persons who are living with this problem and encourage them to talk about epilepsy. Dr Rajinder Kumar Bansal (Professor of Department of Neurology) said that epilepsy is the commonest neurological disorder. It is an estimated that 8 million people are suffering with epilepsy in India and are many challenges related to medications and its management. Dr Barinder S Paul (Professor of Department of Neurology) addressed that many misconceptions and myths related to epilepsy were also discussed during this session and educate the people regarding its management.