Leprosy A Common Condition Among Patients Visiting CHK Neuro Dept

Around 20 to 30% of the patients brought daily to neurology department of Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (RPCHK) are found to be suffering from Epilepsy, said a neurologist and principal of Dow Medical College/RPCHK, Prof Dr Kartar Dowani.

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Dec, 2018 ) :Around 20 to 30% of the patients brought daily to neurology department of Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (RPCHK) are found to be suffering from Epilepsy, said a neurologist and principal of Dow Medical College/RPCHK, Prof Dr Kartar Dowani.

Addressing the inaugural session of a workshop organised by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Pakistan Society of Neurology (PSN) for young doctors, he said there was a need to help patients manage the condition under supervision of trained professional.

Emphasizing that "Leprosy" is a common condition which is largely left under diagnosed among children, he said general medical practitioners / family physicians can play an important role to ensure timely and adequate intervention.

"Life quality of the people inflicted with epilepsy can be improved to almost normal levels through timely diagnosis and efficient management," said Dr Dowani.

Dr Hasan Aziz, one of the senior most neurologists and founding president of PSN in his detailed presentation said myths associated with epilepsy must be rectified with equal attention to help people in general understand the symptoms of the condition.

Sharing in detail the efforts made by PSN for enhancing public awareness about epilepsy, he also referred to measures adopted by the Society to help children suffering from the condition.

"This must be well understood that there is no specific cause for the condition and is often congenital that can be but efficiently managed," he said.

Prof Hasan Aziz said epileptics can lead as good and normal life as any other person through discipline and compliance to prescribed medication.

"The neurological condition is like a short circuit in the brain causing sudden unconsciousness and loss of control over body covered under its neuro system," he said.

The senior neurologist said media can help medical community in dispelling rampant misconceptions about epilepsy so that sufferers are provided with immediate assistance.

Dr Zarine Mughal, a senior member of PSN associated with Sindh Government Hospital said that 50 million are suffering from epilepsy across the globe with 64% comprising men.

She mentioned that due to better availability of facilities the condition is registered to be more common in urban centres.

The session was also addressed by Prof Naila, Dr Sarfaraz Ahmed, Dr Syed Gohar Ali, Dr Ramla Hashmi and others.

Young doctors and medical students from different campuses of DUHS also attended the programme in large number.