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Leading health experts have emphasized the urgent need for a social model of epilepsy care within India’s school health programmes, highlighting persistent gaps in identification, support, and stigma reduction for children living with epilepsy. Despite national initiatives like the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), which aims to screen children aged 0–18 for various health conditions including epilepsy, significant underdiagnosis and social barriers remain.
Current Gaps in School-Based Epilepsy Care
A recent review of the RBSK program in Punjab revealed a striking gap: out of approximately 60,000 students screened, only 41 were identified with epilepsy, while prevalence estimates suggest the true number should be between 480 and 600. Experts attribute this discrepancy to several factors:
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Stigma and Denial: Many families are reluctant to disclose a child’s epilepsy due to social stigma, even when community health workers observe seizures.
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Lack of Teacher Training: Most teachers have little or no training in recognizing or managing seizures, leading to missed cases and inadequate support for affected students.
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Misconceptions and Negative Attitudes: Studies show that a large proportion of students and teachers hold misconceptions about epilepsy, with some believing it is a mental illness or contagious, and many endorsing ineffective or harmful practices during seizures.
The Need for a Social Model
Experts argue that a shift from a purely medical approach to a social model of care is essential. This would involve:
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Comprehensive Teacher Training: Initiatives led by researchers like Dr. Sulena Singh have demonstrated that even brief training sessions can significantly improve teachers’ knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in supporting students with epilepsy.
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Curriculum Integration: Currently, most school textbooks lack any content on epilepsy, missing a key opportunity for awareness and destigmatization.
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Community Involvement: Engaging parents, health workers, and community volunteers is crucial to bridge the gap between identification and treatment, and to address cultural barriers.
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Ongoing Support and Inclusion: Schools must provide not only first aid and medical support but also foster an inclusive environment that addresses academic, psychological, and social needs.
Impact of Stigma
The stigma surrounding epilepsy leads to social isolation, academic underachievement, and reduced opportunities for children, often extending into adulthood. Teachers’ attitudes are particularly influential-positive, informed teachers can help reduce stigma and support affected students, while negative attitudes can reinforce exclusion and discrimination.
Moving Forward
Experts recommend integrating epilepsy education into school health programmes nationwide, training teachers and health workers, and updating curricula to include accurate information about epilepsy. Such measures are seen as vital steps toward closing the treatment gap and ensuring that children with epilepsy receive the understanding, care, and opportunities they deserve.
Disclaimer: This article is based on expert opinions and research findings reported in The Hindu and other scientific sources. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of epilepsy, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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