A HEALTH education event was held at Shenzhen University on Sunday to mark International Epilepsy Care Day, which is tomorrow, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

According to Yang Guo’an, president of the city’s health education and promotion association, there are around 100,000 epileptic patients in Shenzhen and more than 60 percent of them are children. He called upon people’s compassion and understanding for children suffering from epilepsy because misunderstandings and discrimination can overburden them with stress.

Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures are episodes that vary in intensity from brief and nearly undetectable to long periods of vigorous shaking. These episodes can result in physical injuries including occasional broken bones. Epilepsy has become the second-most common neurological disease in China following headaches.

A video produced by Shenzhen Children’s Hospital was played during the event, demonstrating the emergency treatment for patients suffering from epileptic seizures.

By hosting a number of health education activities, the event’s organizers hope that students, parents and the public will gain a better understanding of epilepsy and compassion for epileptic patients. (Zhang Yang)