AIIMS Nagpur Launches Tele-Helpline to Support Epileptic Students in Schools
Nagpur, India: Many schools face challenges when dealing with students who suffer from epilepsy, often leading to children being sent home due to a lack of medical resources. To address this issue, AIIMS Nagpur has launched a dedicated tele-helpline as part of an ICMR-funded project titled “Tele-school Health-led Epilepsy Smart Schools in India.” The goal of the project is to assist teachers and schools in managing epilepsy-related incidents, providing vital support to students, teachers, and parents.
The tele-helpline will operate Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, offering services such as health education, epilepsy care information, emergency management, and tele-consultation. It will serve approximately 2.5 lakh students across 1,700 schools under the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Zilla Parishad (ZP), and Municipal Council, covering both urban and rural areas in Nagpur district.
The project, spearheaded by AIIMS Nagpur’s Department of Paediatrics and Community Medicine, aims to improve epilepsy care in schools, ensuring children with epilepsy receive timely guidance and medical advice. Epilepsy, a common neurological disorder, can significantly impact a child's academic performance, social life, and emotional health. Without proper awareness and care, children may face stigma, isolation, and even drop out of school.
During the launch event, experts highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and consistent management of epilepsy to help affected students lead productive lives. The tele-helpline will bridge the gap in knowledge by providing schools with the tools to manage epilepsy more effectively.
Key attendees at the launch event included Vinayak Mahamuni, CEO of Zilla Parishad, and Dr. Prashant Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur. The project is being led by Dr. Shikha Jain, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, as the Principal Investigator, and Dr. Sujiv Akkilagunta, Associate Professor of Community Medicine, as the Co-investigator.
This initiative marks a significant step toward creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for children with epilepsy, ensuring they can continue their education without unnecessary disruptions.
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