KARACHI: Epilepsy is a curable neurological disorder, but majority of children suffering from the condition in the country have no access to treatment facilities. The condition is also believed to be some kind of supernatural phenomenon.

This was stated by health experts and neurologists at an awareness rally held outside the press club on Monday to mark the International Epilepsy Day.

Scores of students, teachers, doctors and members of civil society participated in a walk, organised by the Pakistan Society of Neurology (PSN) to draw attention to the availability of epilepsy treatment in Pakistan.

The participants wore T-shirts and carried placards inscribed with slogans about epilepsy as they marched.

PSN Dr Muhammad Wasey Shakir said there were around two million people affected by the condition in the country. Of these, over 1m were children, majority of whom had no access to education or treatment facilities.

He said that hardly 25 per cent of epileptic children availed treatment as the majority of parents considered it to be some kind of supernatural phenomenon. Instead of visiting health facilities, they approached faith healers and quacks, he deplored.

Dr Wasey rejected the misconception, saying the disease was curable and that qualified neurologists and medicines were available in Pakistan. He added that epileptic patients could live a healthy and normal life.

He told the participants that epileptic children could get an education and go on to become doctors, engineers and teachers and perform their responsibilities in all spheres of life without any difficulty.

“All we need is awareness that epilepsy is a disease, which is curable and has nothing to do with supernatural and demonic forces,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016