Nellore Collector launches toll-free number for epilepsy patients

District Collector Himanshu Shukla formally inaugurated a dedicated toll-free helpline number for epilepsy patients — 1800-424-0060 — on the occasion of International Epilepsy Day at Narayana Hospital in Nellore on Monday. He interacted with the medical students during an awareness programme at the hospital.

“The medical students may already be aware of epilepsy, and it is the collective responsibility of everyone to spread awareness among the general public. The humanity in society should not decline. As people respond to a problem within the family, they should respond in the same way when a problem occurs in the society,” the Collector said.

Narayana Medical College Dean Dr. P. Srinivasulu Reddy said that International Epilepsy Day is observed every year on the second Monday of February. He stated that about 10-12 million people in India are affected by epilepsy. To help address this in the district, the special toll-free number was inaugurated by the Collector.

Narayana Hospital Department of Neurology Head Dr. N. S. Sampath Kumar said that several awareness programmes on epilepsy had been conducted in the past. However, this year the focus is to provide psychological support to epilepsy patients, helping them attain freedom from seizures, and reinforcing the message that life is not limited by epilepsy.