KARACHI: Around three million people in Pakistan suffer from epilepsy, which is around 1.5 per cent of its population as compared to one per cent in the world suffering from this disease, experts said on Wednesday.

They said the more than 20 million people — 10pc of the total population — suffered from brain and neurological problems and disorders and that number was greater than the people suffering from heart diseases and cancers.

Addressing a press conference organised by the Pakistan Society of Neurology and Epilepsy Association of Pakistan at the Karachi Press Club, Dr Wasay Shakir said around 50 million people suffered from epilepsy worldwide of which close to three million resided in Pakistan only.

The press conference was part of World Brain Day observed across the world on Wednesday to show support and solidarity with patients of epilepsy and brain-related diseases.

Prof Shaukat Ali said around 15 million people suffered from paralysis every year of whom six million died and it crippled five million for the rest of their life. “Every six seconds a person dies because of paralysis,” he said.

Similarly, he said epilepsy took life of 60,000 people every year.

He said though epilepsy attacked 2.4 million people every year there were people who overcame it successfully, the prominent of whom in Pakistan was Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Prof Shakir said 70pc of people suffering from epilepsy were shy who hid it instead of treating the disease. They included, he added, a large number of women and children. In fact, the ratio of the disease was twice as severe in children.

Dr Nayla Shahbaz said epilepsy was treatable, but lack of awareness and non-availability of qualified neurologists were key factors forcing the vast majority to live without the required treatment.

“In our society there is a common belief that epilepsy is not a disease but a supernatural phenomenon triggered by demons or djinns. This only benefits the quacks and faith healers,” she said.

Dr Abdul Malik said the incidence of the disease in Pakistan was higher due to lack of awareness and increase in infectious disease and both of them could effectively be prevented.

Dr Fowzia Siddiqui also spoke.

Later, the two organisations organised a walk from the Karachi Press Club to the Fountain Roundabout to increase public awareness of the issue.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2015

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