DMC&H hosts a meeting on STOP-Epilepsy Project

Ludhiana, November 18, 2024: The Department of Neurology at DMC&H today organized a meeting to advance the ongoing STOP-Epilepsy Project. The event, held at the Board Room, Dumra Auditorium, DMC&H, brought together esteemed dignitaries, including Hon’able Health Minister of Punjab, Dr. Balbir Singh, who served as the Chief Guest.

The chief guest Dr. Balbir Singh, Health Minister of Punjab was warmly received at DMCH by Mukesh Verma, Treasurer, DMC&H Managing Society; Dr. G S Wander, Principal; Dr. Sandeep Kaushal, Dean Academics, Dr. Bishav Mohan, Chief Cardiologist and Coordinator HDHI, and Dr. Gagandeep Singh, Prof. and Head at Department of Neurology.

The meeting was also attended by Bipin Gupta, Secretary, DMC&H; Mukesh Verma, Treasurer, DMC&H Managing Society; Dr. G S Wander, Principal; Dr. Sandeep Kaushal, Dean Academics; Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Medical Superintendent; Dr. Ashwani K Chaudhary, Medical Superintendent; and Dr. Bishav Mohan, Chief Cardiologist and Coordinator HDHI, among others.

Dr. Gagandeep Singh, Prof. & Head, Department of Neurology, is the Principal Investigator of this project. It is being implemented in three districts of India with the support of collaborators and consultants from UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London along with All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad and IIT Ropar.

In his speech, Dr. G S Wander, Principal, DMC&H, highlighted the importance of addressing epilepsy as a public health priority, emphasizing the role of mental health in improving the quality of life for affected individuals. He also acknowledged the continued support of Health Minister of Punjab, Dr. Balbir Singh in strengthening healthcare initiatives in Punjab.

The chief guest Dr. Balbir Singh, Health Minister of Punjab was apprised of the project by DMCH team. The team also apprised the gathering of the projected number of people living with epilepsy which is expected to be around 300,000. Approximately, 70% are likely to be managed with anti-seizure medicines.

The Health Minister on his part assured that all anti-seizure medicines will be made available through Aam Aadmi Clinics and Primary Health Centers for people with epilepsy in the district. He took stock of the project milestones and outcomes.

Additional insights were shared by Dr. Sulena from Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hospital, who discussed an ICMR-funded initiative to generate epilepsy awareness among school communities. Dr. Bishav Mohan spoke about the importance of Epilepsy awareness and linked the success of the STEMI-ICMR project, which converted to Mission Amrit Punjab to the broader impact of such healthcare initiatives.

DMCH is the lead institution for the “Scaling up the Competency of Primary Care Workers to Manage Epilepsy by Task Sharing (STOP-Epilepsy)” project supported by DBT- Wellcome Trust India Alliance.