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Telephonic follow-up of epilepsy patients at AIIMS soon?
New Delhi: Telephonic follow-up with epilepsy patients who live far away could be introduced at the AIIMS here soon following a study that showed that some patients suffered seizures while travelling sleepless overnight in unreserved train compartments to reach the premier Delhi hospital.
The study, done by the Neurology Department of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, found that many patients would be relieved to follow up of their cases on phone by the doctor concerned that saves them from the tensions of travelling long distances.
“The patients, mostly from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh, are on medication and remain seizure-free for months. But when they come in packed unreserved train compartments for follow-up visits to the doctor, they are unable to get sleep, and some of them suffer seizures on the train,” Mamta Bhushan Singh, additional professor in the AIIMS’ neurolgy department, told.
“Telephonic follow-up would save not just money but time. The study is to be published,” she added.
The study was done on a randomized selection of 450 patients whose follow-up was done on the phone. They were asked if they were happy and satisfied. “They were extremely happy with the follow-up on phone,” Singh said.
As part of the follow-up, the patient had to cite his or her file number, which the doctor would click open on a computer terminal for the patient’s data sheet, that would have the date of the last seizure, the medicines and the duration of medication. The doctor would then ask the set questions, including if the patient had suffered a seizure in the interim since meeting the doctor the last time, and how many seizures, if any dose of medicine was missed and any side effects of the drugs, said Singh.
“Maybe in future we may offer telephonic follow-ups,” said the expert.
With India home to around 12 percent of epilepsy cases – or 1-2 percent per 100 people – Singh said there is a dire need for more doctors, especially in the rural areas, and also of health educators and volunteers who would help raise awareness of the health condition that most people still feel embarrassed to acknowledge.
“Epilepsy should be understood and treated. The treatment is affordable and, along with medicines, patients need to be educated about epilepsy, that it is perfectly treatable, that they should not miss medicine doses and have proper sleep,” she said.
Singh also said that the figure of 12 million prevalence was an “underestimation” as “at least half of patients are not being treated”.
One major reason for people reporting with seizures is ingestion of tapeworm eggs, either through eating pork that is not well cooked, or from dirty water or unwashed lettuce leaves or cabbage.
Neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection that results from ingestion of eggs from the adult tapeworm, is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in the developing world.
“Once ingested, the fertilized egg of the tapeworm reaches the brain. This comes from contaminated water or eating salad leaves or cabbage which get the eggs due to open defecation,” she added.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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