THE epilepsy community in Singapore is heartened to hear that the condition is among four additional chronic ones that will be covered under Medisave ("Medisave minimum sum requirement to be axed"; last Friday). It is a huge boost for people with epilepsy here.
Around the world, people with epilepsy, their families and carers, and national epilepsy associations have been striving to have epilepsy recognised as a major chronic neurological disorder that requires coordinated action to address.
Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disease, and is a global problem that affects all ages, races and social classes. It is estimated that 65 million people have epilepsy, and approximately 21/2 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
Epilepsy can begin at any age and is often a lifelong condition that affects not only the individual with epilepsy, but also his family and carers.
Epilepsy not only imposes physical, psychological and social burdens on individuals and families, but also ruins the lives of people with epilepsy.
Children with epilepsy often have difficulty at school and adults with epilepsy experience high levels of unemployment. Stigma and discrimination are common, adding to the social, economic and health burdens faced by people with epilepsy.
Up to 40 per cent of people with epilepsy in the industrialised world do not receive appropriate treatment. This figure rises to 80 per cent in some developing countries.
Yet, with appropriate treatment, up to 70 per cent of people with epilepsy could be seizure-free. Research is critical to ensure that treatments are found for the 30 per cent of people with epilepsy who are currently drug resistant.
Epilepsy Care Group (Singapore) would like to see epilepsy as a health priority worldwide, with appropriate legislation to guarantee the rights of people with epilepsy, so that they can be empowered to maximise their quality of life.
Goh Keng Hwee
Honorary Secretary/Executive Director
Epilepsy Care Group (Singapore)
Around the world, people with epilepsy, their families and carers, and national epilepsy associations have been striving to have epilepsy recognised as a major chronic neurological disorder that requires coordinated action to address.
Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disease, and is a global problem that affects all ages, races and social classes. It is estimated that 65 million people have epilepsy, and approximately 21/2 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
Epilepsy can begin at any age and is often a lifelong condition that affects not only the individual with epilepsy, but also his family and carers.
Epilepsy not only imposes physical, psychological and social burdens on individuals and families, but also ruins the lives of people with epilepsy.
Children with epilepsy often have difficulty at school and adults with epilepsy experience high levels of unemployment. Stigma and discrimination are common, adding to the social, economic and health burdens faced by people with epilepsy.
Up to 40 per cent of people with epilepsy in the industrialised world do not receive appropriate treatment. This figure rises to 80 per cent in some developing countries.
Yet, with appropriate treatment, up to 70 per cent of people with epilepsy could be seizure-free. Research is critical to ensure that treatments are found for the 30 per cent of people with epilepsy who are currently drug resistant.
Epilepsy Care Group (Singapore) would like to see epilepsy as a health priority worldwide, with appropriate legislation to guarantee the rights of people with epilepsy, so that they can be empowered to maximise their quality of life.
Goh Keng Hwee
Honorary Secretary/Executive Director
Epilepsy Care Group (Singapore)
