Inaugurated by Cricket Legend and Epilepsy Advocate, Jonty Rhodes, the new Centre of Excellence aims to transform care for drug-resistant epilepsy across India.
Bengaluru, November 28th, 2025 — Aster DM Healthcare Ltd., one of India’s largest integrated healthcare providers, today announced a major step forward in specialised neurological care with the launch of the ‘Aster Global Institute for Advanced Epilepsy Care’ in Bengaluru. This dedicated Centre of Excellence is designed to provide comprehensive diagnosis, advanced treatment, and long-term management for individuals living with epilepsy, particularly those with complex and drug-resistant cases.
The state-of-the-art facility, located at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, was formally inaugurated by acclaimed South African cricketer and global sporting icon, Jonty Rhodes. Rhodes, who openly discussed his own childhood battle with epilepsy, served as an inspiring advocate for the initiative.
Addressing the media, Jonty Rhodes reflected on his journey, stating, “My diagnosis with a mild form of reflexive epilepsy as a child meant I couldn’t play rugby like my father, which inadvertently pushed me towards football, hockey, and eventually cricket. These sports indirectly helped me develop the unique fielding skills that I later became famous for.”
He emphasized that the key to overcoming his condition was not the epilepsy itself, but the unwavering support, understanding, and encouragement of his parents and teachers. Even in the 1970s when little was known about the condition, they helped him focus on what he could do, ensuring he lived a normal, active life, albeit with necessary precautions.
Rhodes complimented modern advancements in epilepsy treatment but stressed that stigma and lack of awareness remain major issues. He expressed strong support for organizations like Aster that focus on diagnosis, treatment, and accessibility, particularly for families in remote areas, concluding, “This cause is close to my heart because, without support, people with epilepsy may be unfairly limited or held back.”
The launch directly addresses the critical need for focused epilepsy care in India. Globally, approximately 30% of epilepsy patients suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy, where advanced interventions, including surgery, can offer life-changing outcomes. In India, an estimated 10-12 million people live with epilepsy, yet up to 90% in rural areas remain untreated due to stigma and lack of access to specialized centres.
The Aster Global Institute for Advanced Epilepsy Care will integrate highly trained specialists, cutting-edge neurodiagnostic tools, and evidence-based clinical protocols to ensure faster evaluation and more effective treatment. The expertise is currently drawn jointly from four of Aster’s major hospitals: Aster CMI, Aster RV, Aster Ramesh (Guntur), and Aster MIMS (Calicut).
Aster Hospitals has already established itself as a leader in this complex field, having successfully performed 266 epilepsy-related surgical procedures. This impressive milestone showcases the hospital’s deep expertise in managing complex cases, supported by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neurophysiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, anaesthetists, and rehabilitation experts.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ramesh Kumar S, Chief Operating Officer – Aster DM Healthcare India, stated, “The establishment of this Institute marks a significant step in our mission to strengthen specialised neurological care. We are focused on building patient-centric systems that combine clinical expertise and advanced diagnostics. This Centre not only enhances our ability to treat complex epilepsy cases but also reinforces our commitment to ensuring every patient has access to timely, high-quality care.”
Dr. Ravi Gopal Varma, Director – Aster Global Institute of Neurosciences & Lead Consultant – Neurosurgery, Aster CMI Hospital, added, “Epilepsy surgery offers hope and a chance to reclaim a normal life for patients living with the daily uncertainty of seizures. The launch of this dedicated centre reinforces our mission to make world-class epilepsy treatment accessible to all.”
The Centre of Excellence was inaugurated during EPISURG 2025, Aster’s annual international conference on epilepsy surgery. The conference theme, “Precision, Personalisation and Progress,” highlighted the organisation’s commitment to advancing the multidisciplinary approaches reshaping epilepsy care worldwide.
