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UNITED NATIONS

  • 14/10/1996
  • WHO

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterised by fits, is the focus of a combined drive launched by the World Health Organization and the International League Against Epilepsy, an international NGO. The campaign which began last month, will essentially aim at increasing public and professional awareness of the brain disorder which affects some 40 million people worldwide.

Recent studies have revealed that anti-epileptic drugs have helped treat upto 80 per cent of newly diagnosed patients. There is the daunting task, however, of changing society's attitude to the sufferers which can come about through educational campaigns.

A UN 1994 International Tropical Timber Agreement is to come into effect after producers and consumers of tropical timber met at Geneva recently to agree on the entry into force clause for the treaty. The accord has been evolved to help in the sustainable management of the tropical forests. A Bali Partnership Fund has been set up under the accord to aid tropical timber producers meet forest conservation policies.

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