ABOUT US

Greetings from all of us at EKATWAM, an NGO working for “Persons with Epilepsy”.

Human brain is very fascinating; much like a computer, it uses electrical signals to transfer and interpret information, which makes us see, imagine and build the world around us. Sometimes things go wrong….Epileptic seizures occur when there is a sudden surge of electrical activity in some part of the brain. Persons with Epilepsy tend to have recurring fits or seizures.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Nearly 80% of the people with epilepsy are found in developing regions. More than 12 million people are estimated to be affected in India alone and the prevalence is estimated to be approximately 1% of the population.

Despite such a high prevalence, the awareness concerning epilepsy in India is quite low. This lack of awareness further perpetuates the already existing stigma around epilepsy, as persons with epilepsy face discrimination and harassment for education, employment and marriage. They are treated with fear and antipathy, sometimes even called mad. Thus, the lack of knowledge makes epilepsy a social problem, not just a medical one.

Epilepsy responds to treatment about 70% of the time, yet about 75% of affected people do not have access to treatment they need or cannot afford the medicines / expense for the surgery.

Also, unlike AIDS & Pulse Polio, the Government of India does not have in place a “National Epilepsy Control Program”.

Hence, with the aim of making a difference in the lives of persons with epilepsy, “EKATWAM” (a non-government organization), was founded in 2013 by a group of committed people engaged in treatment of Epilepsy, Persons with Epilepsy, their caregivers and well-wishers.