Blog 2

India faces a massive epilepsy burden, affecting over ten million people, yet stark rural-urban disparities create treatment gaps ranging from 22 to 95 percent, disproportionately impacting women and low-income groups. Limited access to specialists, interrupted supplies of free anti-seizure drugs, and high transport costs drive poor adherence. Secondary treatment dropout reaches 42.8 percent, largely due to medication expenses and persistent stigma. Poor adherence markedly reduces quality of life across physical and psychological domains, with studies showing married women over 30 years reporting the lowest scores. Economic strain is severe, as nearly 80 percent of epilepsy care is privately financed, leading to high out-of-pocket expenses for treatment and travel. This burden often disrupts care, reduces employability, and creates poorer health outcomes. Addressing these gaps requires systemic action. Training primary care providers, expanding tele-neurology, and strengthening referral networks improve continuity. Public awareness campaigns reduce stigma, while patient education, mobile apps, and pill reminders enhance adherence. Multidisciplinary care models and public-private partnerships can deliver equitable access and sustained seizure control.