On October 1st, the Fukuoka Children’s Hospital announced it will open the Epilepsy Center for Children on Oct. 15th, making it the first children’s hospital in western Japan to house an epilepsy treatment center. Epilepsy is a medical condition that affects the brain, causing repeated, unprovoked seizures, often found amongst children and the elderly. According to the hospital, there are estimated to be over one million epilepsy patients in Japan, with approximately one thousand people diagnosed with epilepsy every year in this hospital alone. After the Department of Neurosurgery hired two new doctors in April, the hospital is now ready to treat patients in cooperation with the Department of Child Neurology as well as the Department of Psychiatry. By supporting patients through diagnosis and treatment, the hospital believes it will now be able to promptly respond to their needs. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 10/2
