As a sign of its firm commitment to make visible and fight against the stigmas suffered by patients with epilepsy daily, Clinica Ricardo Palma lit up in purple on International Epilepsy Day, becoming the first private health institution to carry out such an initiative to combat the prejudices that exist around it.

Even though this neurological disorder is one of the most common among the population, there is still a lot of misinformation about epilepsy.  This symbolic act sought to draw the attention of children, young people, and adults so that they become aware that this condition is more common than is believed and people should not be ashamed of suffering from it.

During the lighting, neurologist – epileptologist Walter De la Cruz, coordinator of the Epilepsy Unit of Clinica Ricardo Palma, pointed out that, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, 70% of patients can control their epileptic seizures and have a full life, and can even start a family and have children.

The ceremony also included a call to normalize epilepsy and to be informed about it to combat any discriminatory act that both patients and their families may suffer.  “Currently there are several treatment options for people to have a great quality of life,” said the specialist.

AWARENESS-RAISING CAMPAIGN

Epilepsy is a disease that affects people of all ages, races, and ethnicities. It is estimated that in the world, more than 50 million men and women suffer from it. Hence the importance of informing, raising awareness and humanizing this condition. In this context, Clinica Ricardo Palma carried out a series of activities to raise awareness about this neurological disorder.

Dr. Manuel Moquillaza, endovascular neurologist and coordinator of the Neurology Service of Clinica Ricardo Palma explained that this year several actions have been carried out to make epilepsy more visible and to educate the population about what it means to live with this pathology and the medical advances that exist in its treatment.

“For the second consecutive year we have held a free in-person and virtual talk aimed at patients, family members and caregivers where we developed more than 9 topics related to this condition, an art contest for patients to express their most intimate emotions and we joined the challenge I take my steps for Epilepsy to make the disease more visible,” concluded Dr. Moquillaza.

It should be noted that International Epilepsy Day is commemorated on the second Monday of February so that the various actors in society join efforts to improve the health and quality of life of these patients.

Dr. Manuel Moquillaza Valle
Endovascular neurologist and coordinator of the Neurology Service of the Ricardo Palma Clinic