To mark National Epilepsy Day, Vikram Hospital organised a Harley Owners Group motorcycle rally here on Sunday.
The rally, which was flagged off on the hospital premises on Millers Road, was taken out to the Bengaluru International Airport and back. The event aimed at creating awareness on epilepsy, especially breaking the stigma associated with the disease. Forty-five bikers participated in the rally, which was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok. Other guests included Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachau, the former Olympian swimmer Nisha Millet, former Miss India Rekha Hande and a team of neurologists and neurosurgeons of the hospital.
This was a special ride because it was for a noble cause. We wanted to tell people that epilepsy can be cured in most cases with proper medication, said Sheeja Mathew, the only woman at the rally. Salamat Shariff, also a biker, said, It was good initiative by the hospital and the experience was great.
Doctors at the rally said the advancement in the treatment for epilepsy had made it possible for those with condition to lead a normal life.
Earlier, the patients were not issued driving licences and some were even denied admission to schools. This had changed as effective medical treatment was possible now, they said.
Seventy to 80 per cent of the cases are now curable, while some severe cases can be controlled through surgery. Epilepsy patients face several restrictions in society and we want to end that, said Rajesh Iyer, neurologist at Vikram Hospital.