Neuroscience India Group

		On the occasion of National Epilepsy Day (17th November), two online forums, for care of epilepsy patients were launched by Neurosciences India Group in association with Indian Medical Association-Chennai South on Saturday, 18th November 2006, in the KS. Sanjivani Auditorium, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai. The Professional and People's forums launched by Kalaimamani Sukanya can be accessed through epi-life.org , a web-portal of Neurosciences India Group, aimed at empowering people on epilepsy.

		'The forum aims to provide medical professionals the opportunity to share views about epilepsy, to consult with one another about complex and difficult patients and to seek opinions of experts about diagnosis and management in difficult situations and will therefore be an online community of medical professionals with an interest in epilepsy, who wish to serve their communities better and to improve the lives of people with epilepsy and their families', said Dr.E.S.Krishnamoorthy, Introducing the Professional forum. Mrs. Dharma Raman introduced the People Forum, pointing out that discussion and sharing of information among caregivers would provide a good support system for them. The other dignitaries present on the occasion were Dr NS Murali, Hon Secretary VHS, and Ms Janaki, Medical Superintendent, VHS and Dr PB Sadasivam, President, IMA- Chennai South.

		An Interactive Lecture Session chaired by Dr.Krishnamoorthy Srinivas, Chairman-TINS-VHS and Dr.PB Sadasivan,President-IMA Chennai South followed the launch of the forums. The session commenced with an informative talk on Clinical Classification of Seizures' by Dr. ND Ramanujam, MD, FIMSA Consultant Physician and Neurologist, TINS-VHS.This was followed by an erudite lecture on 'Making a Diagnosis - The Appropriate use of investigations' by Dr NS Subbulakshmy, Research Consultant and Consultant Neurologist, TINS-VHS. Dr Rema Raghu, MBBS, Paul Hamlyn Fellow,highlighted 'An Approach to Treatment in Primary Care'. Mr. Deepak Nathan, Paul Hamlyn Fellow, TINS-VHS, addressed 'Psychological and Social Issues' including marriage, employment and disability laws and expressed the need to modify policies concerning persons with epilepsy. The session concluded with Dr.E.S.Krishnamoorthy highlighting 'Controversies in Clinical Practice'. Discussions on the various lectures were facilitated by Dr. Yesodha Thanikachalam, Dr.Valluri Rama Rao and Dr. M Vijay Kumar respectively.

		This event had something for everyone to take home. While the forums promised a support system for people with epilepsy and their caregivers and an opportunity for information sharing for professionals, the interactive lecture session provided valuable information a variety of perspectives on epilepsy for professionals, students and others present on the occasion, to think about.