Epilepsy affects about 1% of the population of the South-East Asia Region of WHO thus there are approximately 15 million people with epilepsy in the Region.
Despite global advances in modern medicine, epilepsy continues to be surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Patients with epilepsy may be taken to faith healers rather than medical doctors, and only 10-20% of all patients with epilepsy receive appropriate treatment. However, it is a fact that 70 to 80% of people with epilepsy can lead normal lives if properly treated.
The show was organized with the aim of felicitating the services rendered by the artists, for the prevention of spreading of epilepsy, as well as for their contribution to the establishment of the National Epilepsy Unit and to overcome myths regarding this disease.
Ministers Rajitha Senaratne, Wijayadasa Rajapakse, Mahinda Amaraweera, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha, Ravi Karunanayake, Vajira Abeywardana, W. D. J Seneviratne, MPs and artists participated in the event.