GMCH training on epilepsy for govt schools teachers
Guwahati: In a pioneering initiative to create '
epilepsy smart schools
' in Assam, the neurology department at
Gauhati Medical College
& Hospital (GMCH) commenced training for approximately 150 govt school teachers in Kamrup district on Wednesday.
The programme is an essential part of an ICMR-funded project 'Tele_ESSI', officially named 'Tele-school health-led Epilepsy Smart Schools in India: An Implementation Initiative with Mixed Methods Assessment'. This multi-dimensional public health initiative, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is being implemented in Assam by GMCH's neurology department.
Dr Marami Das, a senior neurologist at GMCH, leads the project as principal investigator.
Under Dr Das's guidance, an awareness and training session for about 150 govt school teachers from Kamrup district took place at the DK Girls' College community hall in Mirza, near Guwahati, on Wednesday. "By integrating neurological health into school-based health systems, Tele_ESSI aligns with India's broader goals under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and aims to serve as a model for nationwide replication," said Dr Das.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Glicemia alta? Pingue isso na água antes de dormir
Saúde Melhor Idade
Veja agora
Undo
The training session focused on improving teachers' knowledge about epilepsy, eliminating stigma, and providing them with essential skills to handle student seizures during school hours. During the meeting, the project team presented educational modules and demonstration videos to explain medical information and develop practical readiness among teachers.
The session included instruction on basic first-aid procedures, addressing epilepsy myths and facts, and establishing school-based support systems.
Teachers participated in discussions to voice their concerns and seek clarification, leading to a deeper understanding of challenges faced by students with epilepsy.
The initiative aims to establish 'epilepsy-smart schools' — institutions equipped to understand, identify, and assist students with epilepsy, particularly in rural and underserved regions. The project incorporates telemedicine, structured awareness programmes, and capacity-building modules to incorporate epilepsy care awareness into Indian schools.
"The project uses a mixed-methods approach, combining tele-health, in-person engagement, and qualitative assessments to evaluate the feasibility and impact of implementing epilepsy education across Indian govt schools. The initiative aligns with broader national health goals of integrating neurological health into primary education systems through awareness, capacity-building, and sustainable implementation," said an official.
Health officials said this community-focused approach represents a crucial step towards removing epilepsy stigma in schools, encouraging early detection, and ensuring timely, compassionate care. The programme supports national health objectives by incorporating neurological health into primary education through awareness, capacity-building, and sustainable implementation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Think olive oil is healthy? Shockingly study says it contributes to obesity
Image credits: Getty Images It's time for an oil change, really. A recent study has stunned people with the news that olive oil actually contributes to obesity. For years, olive oil has been consumed as a healthy alternative to other cooking oils. According to the North American Olive Oil Association, more than 50% of American households use olive oil due to its flavour and health benefits. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, olive oil has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, renoprotective and anti-neurodegenerative agents. However, a recent study published in the journal Cell Reports revealed that eating a high-fat diet containing a huge amount of oleic acid- a type of fatty acid found in olive oil, can cause more obesity than other types of dietary fats. Oleic acid, a monosaturated fat associated with obesity, leads the body to make more fat cells. High levels of the acid boost a signalling protein, AKT2 and reduce the activity of a regulating protein LXR, to result in the faster growth of the precursor cells that form new fat cells. "We know that the types of fat that people eat have changed during the obesity epidemic. We wanted to know whether simply overeating a diet rich in fat causes obesity, or whether the composition of these fatty acids that make up the oils in the diet is important. Do specific fat molecules trigger responses in the cells?" said Michael Rudolph, Ph.D, assistant professor of biochemistry and physiology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and member of OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center to Medical Xpress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The shocking research Image credits: Getty Images Rudolph and his team which included other collaborators at Yale University School of Medicine and New York University School of Medicine, carried out the research by feeding mice a variety of specialized diets rich in particular individual fatty acids, including those found in coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard and soybean oil. Oleic acid was the only one that led to precursor cells that gave rise to fat cells to proliferate more than other fatty acids. "You can think of the fat cells as an army," explained Rudolph. "When you give oleic acid, it initially increases the number of 'fat cell soldiers' in the army, which creates a larger capacity to store excess dietary nutrients. Over time, if the excess nutrients overtake the number of fat cells, obesity can occur, which can then lead to cardiovascular disease or diabetes if not controlled." He suggested consuming fats in moderation and from a variety of sources. "Relatively balanced levels of oleic acid seem to be beneficial, but higher and prolonged levels may be detrimental. If someone is at risk for heart disease, high levels of oleic acid may not be a good idea." One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Avoid rath yatra if you have Covid symptoms'
Gandhinagar: While urging people to take precautions against Covid-19, state health minister Rushikesh Patel on Wednesday advised those with Covid-like symptoms and those with co-morbidities to refrain from participating in Lord Jagannath's rath yatra on June 27. "People who have symptoms like those of Covid-19 must refrain from participating in the rath yatra. Also, people with co-morbidities, the elderly, and those who have flu-like symptoms must remain in their houses and watch the rath yatra," Patel said while talking to reporters in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. He added that this will ensure that people who have symptoms will not transmit it to others, and co-morbid people will also not be exposed to infections. Meanwhile, after participating in the jal yatra in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi said that the rath yatra is a centre of devotion for lakhs of people. "Preparations are being made for the rath yatra to be held on June 27. It is the biggest procession from the perspectives of both devotion and administration," the minister said. With more than 1,200 active Covid-19 cases in Gujarat at present, Patel said that although the variant responsible for the surge is less severe than previous ones, people need to take precautions and isolate themselves if symptoms emerge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "We are in touch with the Union health ministry. The variant responsible for these new cases belongs to the Omicron family, which is less severe," he said. Although the variant is not very harmful, people need to take precautionary measures. Patel said that health infrastructure like beds, medicines and medical oxygen supply is in place.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
New rule of medical examination for green card applicants from June 11: All you need to know
Green card applicants need to submit new medical form with new application. If they have an old one for an application that was withdrawn or rejected, it's not valid anymore. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it was making an immediate policy change for green card applicants, keeping in mind the issue of public health. The previous policy was introduced just over a year ago, but now the new rule will be applicable from June 11. What is the new rule? Every new application for a green card requires a new medical examination form. Suppose an application was withdrawn or rejected earlier. The new application of the same person would now require a new medical examination form. But per the existing rule, the medical form remained valid for indefinite time. "Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a civil surgeon on or after Nov. 1, 2023, is only valid while the application the Form I-693 was submitted with is pending. If the application a Form I-693 was submitted with is withdrawn or denied, that Form I-693 is no longer valid. This guidance is effective immediately and applies to applications pending or filed on or after June 11, 2025," the USCIS said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo "Most aliens subject to health-related grounds of inadmissibility must have an immigration medical examination to demonstrate they are not inadmissible. In general, aliens applying to adjust status must submit Form I-693 to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds of inadmissibility. We may require an alien who would otherwise not be required to undergo an immigration medical examination to submit a Form I-693 as a matter of discretion, if the evidence indicates that there may be a public health concern," the department said. USCIS said in April 2024, this policy was updated to make the validity of the medical report indefinite but now it seems that this policy could potentially threaten public health in the United States. "We have since determined that the April 4, 2024, policy is overly broad and could potentially threaten public health in the United States. By limiting the validity period to only the current immigration benefit application or request, we ensure that aliens get timely and proper medical examinations and treatment, which safeguards public health," the USCIS said.
