Bengaluru, Feb 27: Aster Whitefield Hospital, in association with Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor, inaugurated Karnataka’s first Mobile Epilepsy Van under its flagship EPIC program, aimed at reducing the epilepsy treatment gap in rural and underserved communities.
The launch was graced by the Chief Guest, Ramesh Aravind, Kannada Celebrity Actor and Director and the Guest of Honour, Dr. Vasant Kumar, Director Health and Family Welfare Services, Government of Karnataka, along with Dr Prashanth N CEO, Aster Hospitals, Karnataka Cluster and Rotary
Taking Advanced Screening to Rural Karnataka
With the introduction of the EPIC program in 2023:
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Screened over 3,000 individuals, and conducted multiple awareness programs related to treatment and to remove the stigma attached to it
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Facilitated 62 surgeries for patients with intractable epilepsy
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Enabled safe and effective epilepsy surgeries using advanced technology and evidence-based protocols, ensuring high precision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery for eligible patients.
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Significantly reduced financial burden on patients by bringing EEG diagnostics and senior clinician consultations directly to rural communities, thereby saving substantial costs related to hospital visits, specialist consultation fees, and long-distance travel.
The Mobile Epilepsy Van is equipped with an advanced Video EEG machine, allowing on-site screening of Epileptics. The van will visit different Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to screen patients within their local communities, in line with our vision of “Reaching the Unreachable.” The unit is supported by a trained EEG technician and, during outreach camps, a neurologist, nurse, and medical team. An EEG, which can cost dearly in tertiary settings, is now being made accessible to underprivileged patients through these camps.
The program will be initiated first at the Kolar district and will be mapping the epileptics at different locations to streamline their treatment plan. With the experience gained in this project, this pilot project will be scaled to the rest of the state
Prof. Dr Satish Rudrappa, Group Director – Aster International Institute of Neurosciences and Spine Care, Aster Whitefield Hospital, who is the brain behind this unique EPIC program, said:
“Epilepsy is treatable and, in many cases, curable. However, lack of awareness, stigma attached to it, and delayed diagnosis continue to affect rural populations. Through the Mobile Epilepsy Van, we are taking specialised neurological screening and evaluation directly to communities that need it the most.”
Dr Keni Ravish Rajiv, Senior Consultant – Neurology and Head of Epilepsy Services, Aster Whitefield Hospital, added:
“Intractable epilepsy can be life-altering if left untreated. Many patients in rural areas live with seizures for years due to stigma and lack of access to diagnostics. By enabling field-based EEG screening and specialist evaluation, we are creating a clear pathway from screening to definitive treatment.”
Mr Srikant Subudhi, Chief Operating Officer, Aster Whitefield Hospital, said:
“At Aster Whitefield Hospital, we believe healthcare must restore dignity, equity, and hope. Through the EPIC Program and the Mobile Video EEG initiative, we are ensuring that advanced epilepsy care reaches underserved communities. Our commitment is clear no patient should be denied timely, evidence-based neurological treatment due to geography or financial limitations.”
Mr. Shrirang Tambe – President, Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor said
”How Rotary has helped in eradicating Polio in India ,similar approach will be taken to identify, treat and follow the patients of Epilepsy through this EPIC program with full commitment from RBITC”
Under the EPIC program, Aster specialists conduct screening camps in collaboration with Rotary 3191. Identified patients are referred to Aster Whitefield Hospital for further evaluation, in the form of Free EEG and MRI which will be funded by Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor.