By Mavis Ofei-Agyemang
The second Monday of February each year is International Epilepsy Day. The day is to create awareness on epilepsy as a medical and health condition, as well as a public health and development issue. The day presents another opportunity for people living with epilepsy and their families to share their lived experience to increase knowledge and awareness and to help reduce social stigma that is associated with the condition.
As the world marks this day, 14th February 2022, Basic Needs-Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark the day and celebrate the numerous people living with epilepsy, primary caregivers and families, as well as advocates and supporters of epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain. It is a chronic non-communicable disease and usually occurs with seizure episodes, periods of unusual behaviours, sensations, and or sometimes a loss of awareness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 65 million people are living with epilepsy.
Statistics indicate that 308,000 people in Ghana live with epilepsy. 4 to 10 out of 1,000 people on earth also live with active seizures at any one time. One-third of people with epilepsy live with uncontrollable seizures because no available treatment works for them. The cause of epilepsy is unknown. 4 out of 10 people with epilepsy in the industrialized world do not receive appropriate treatment. According to the world health organization many more people are affected by the consequences of epilepsy.
WHO’s program on reducing the epilepsy treatment gap in Ghana dubbed ‘ the Fight against epilepsy in Ghana Initiative estimates that 1% of the population lives with epilepsy. This represents some 308,000 people based on the 2020 population and housing census with a treatment gap of 85%. According to the Project Officer at Basic Needs Ghana, Mr Sunday Atua Anaba treatment gap for epilepsy in Ghana is still high. He said though significant successes have been made through a five year project led by the ministry of health and the mental health authority, there is still the need to support families and persons who suffer these conditions.
“Ghana needs a specific policy and strategic plan for epilepsy while any existing plans must be implemented within families, and the public, particularly faith-based institutions and religious authorities, traditional authorities, cultural and educational authorities and institutions, as well as human rights organizations and advocates, need to exhibit supportive leadership and care of people with epilepsy and their conditions. Pastors, prophets/ prophetess and herbalists, chiefs and queen mothers and opinion leaders, teachers and educational instructors, as well as human rights advocates and mass media, must come on board to help educate on epilepsy and empower the persons living with epilepsy and their families and communities ” A this years celebration falls on 14th FEBRUARY, St. Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to the show of love around the world the clarion call is for all to show love towards people living with epilepsy.