Kauvery Hospital has launched the Regional Epilepsy Centre (K-REC) in Chennai to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care for patients struggling with uncontrolled seizures.

  • Kauvery Hospital established an integrated Regional Epilepsy Centre (K-REC) across its three Chennai branches.
  • Approximately 20%-30% of epilepsy patients do not respond adequately to medication.
  • A multidisciplinary team of neurologists, surgeons, and psychologists will manage complex cases.
  • The initiative aims to bridge the gap between surgical need and actual surgeries performed.

CHENNAI: In a major advancement for neurological healthcare, Kauvery Hospital officially launched its integrated Regional Epilepsy Centre (K-REC) on Wednesday. This initiative is designed to create a seamless, coordinated care network across the hospital's three major branches in Chennai.

Krish Sridhar, Group Mentor for Neurosciences and Director of the Institute of Brain and Spine at Kauvery Hospital, highlighted the scale of the challenge. He noted that nearly 1% of the Indian population suffers from epilepsy, and significantly, medication fails to adequately control seizures in roughly 20% to 30% of these patients.

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A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care

Under the K-REC framework, specialized centers headed by expert neurologists have been established at all three hospital branches. These centers are backed by a robust multidisciplinary team, including neurologists, neuroradiologists, electrophysiologists, clinical psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, and neurosurgeons.

The multidisciplinary team will meet fortnightly to assess complex cases and decide on evidence-based surgical interventions.

Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Hospital, compared this collaborative model to the 'tumor boards' used by oncologists. He emphasized the critical need to combat the deep-seated social stigma surrounding epilepsy in India, calling for widespread public awareness campaigns.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the lack of specialized, coordinated care often leads to patients with refractory epilepsy (seizures resistant to drugs) falling through the cracks of the healthcare system. By integrating surgical expertise with psychological and rehabilitative support, K-REC addresses the holistic needs of the patient.

Shubha Subramanian, Senior Consultant Neurologist, stated that the initiative would specifically assess both medical and surgical treatments for both children and adults. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between the number of patients who require surgery and those who actually receive it. Arul Mozhi T., another senior neurologist, also endorsed the launch as a vital step for regional healthcare.

Did You Know?: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions globally, affecting millions of people across all age groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does K-REC differ from standard neurology clinics?
K-REC uses a multidisciplinary team approach, bringing together various specialists to discuss and treat complex cases collectively.

2. When is surgery recommended for epilepsy?
Surgery is considered when a patient's seizures are not adequately controlled by medications, following strict clinical protocols and evidence-based assessments.