Sidra backs purple day to raise Epilepsy awareness

Sidra Medical and Research Centre (Sidra) Thursday announced its support to Purple Day.
Purple Day, observed March 26, bids to increase awareness on epilepsy worldwide.
Sidra Interim Chief of Paediatric Neurology Dr. Khaled Zamel said, "Sidra supports global healthcare and educational initiatives, including those related to disorders like epilepsy, to help raise awareness and educate the public." Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures. These seizures are the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Epilepsy occurs in a quarter of patients worldwide. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential, Dr Zamel said.
Sidra will check this condition in paediatric patients at its Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU).
The six-bed EMU facility will enable the Sidra team to accurately diagnose epilepsy and monitor patients’ conditions to ensure that they receive the best possible treatment and care.
Epilepsy affects people of all ages. It is common in children and older adults.
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the proportion of the general population with active epilepsy at a given time is four to 10 per 1000 people, Sidra said.