Underutilization of epilepsy surgery in ASEAN countries

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Global Health
• Surgical Access

Background:

• Epilepsy affects millions in ASEAN countries.
• Access to advanced epilepsy surgery and pre-surgical evaluations varies significantly across the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the availability of epilepsy surgery services in ASEAN nations.
• To identify barriers limiting epilepsy surgery access for a population of 640 million.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with national representatives from all 11 ASEAN countries.
• Data collection focused on the availability of epilepsy centers and pre-surgical evaluation facilities.

Main Results:

• Most ASEAN countries have basic pre-surgical evaluation facilities, but advanced non-invasive and invasive investigations are scarce.
• Only six countries have Level-3 epilepsy centers, and five have Level-4 care facilities, with significant disparities in resource allocation.
• Key barriers identified include a lack of expertise, insufficient funding, and inadequate facilities.

Conclusions:

• Epilepsy surgery is significantly underutilized in ASEAN due to a low number of specialized centers and limited advanced pre-surgical evaluation capabilities.
• Addressing the lack of expertise, funding, and facilities is crucial to improving access to epilepsy surgery in the region.