GMCH Launches App to Train Teachers in Epilepsy Care

In a pioneering move towards inclusive healthcare and child safety, the Department of Neurology at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) today launched a dedicated mobile health application to enhance epilepsy awareness and response preparedness among school teachers. The initiative, part of the ICMR-backed “Tele-school health-led Epilepsy Smart Schools in India” (Tele_ESSI) project, is designed to empower educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to support children with epilepsy in academic environments.

The mobile app was officially launched at a special ceremony held at the CN Centre, GMCH, by Suranjana Senapati, Director of Elementary Education, Assam. The event was also graced by Deepika Choudhury, Inspector of Schools & District Elementary Education Officer, Kamrup (Metro), and senior officials including Prof. Dr. A.C. Baishya, Principal-cum-Superintendent of GMCH, along with Dr. Anupama Deka and Dr. Munindra Goswami, Heads of the Departments of Paediatrics and Neurology.

Attended by 60 teachers from various schools across Kamrup (Metro) district, the launch marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Tele_ESSI project at GMCH. The initiative is being led by Dr. Marami Das (Principal Investigator) and Dr. Mehzabin Haider Hazarika (Co-PI), with key contributions from team members Dr. Pooja Pathak, Himashri Talukdar, and Ankita Gogoi.

A Mobile App Designed for Real-World Impact

The newly launched application is packed with video-based training modules, carefully curated to be accessible and user-friendly for educators. The content covers a comprehensive range of topics including:

Seizure recognition and classification

Basic first aid during epileptic episodes

Addressing myths and misconceptions

Reducing stigma

Promoting inclusive practices within classrooms

With an easy-to-navigate interface, the app enables teachers to access essential information on the go — particularly during real-time emergencies — thereby improving the response time and quality of care for students experiencing seizures.

Beyond the App: A Comprehensive Support Ecosystem

The launch of the mobile application builds upon earlier efforts by the GMCH team. In October 2024, a dedicated epilepsy helpline was activated as part of the Tele_ESSI initiative. Since its inception, the helpline has fielded over 70 calls, providing immediate medical guidance and psychological support. Notably, four children were referred to GMCH for emergency care following seizure incidents reported via the helpline, demonstrating the initiative’s tangible and life-saving impact.

A Nationwide Collaboration

While GMCH leads the implementation in Assam, the Tele_ESSI project spans across multiple states, with Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital in Faridkot (Punjab) and AIIMS Nagpur (Maharashtra) also participating in this pan-India collaborative effort. Together, these institutions are working to create an interconnected network of “Epilepsy Smart Schools” — a first-of-its-kind model in India focused on embedding health literacy and preparedness into the education system.

Towards an Epilepsy-Inclusive Future

As epilepsy continues to affect millions of children globally—often misunderstood and stigmatized—this initiative seeks to fill a crucial knowledge gap among frontline caregivers in school settings. By turning smartphones into life-saving toolkits and educators into informed first responders, GMCH’s mobile app marks a major step toward ensuring safer, more inclusive schools for children living with epilepsy.

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