International Epilepsy Day marked on 11 February aims to create greater awareness around epilepsy and helping end the stigma and discrimination that sufferers often experience.
Novartis South Africa has called for more awareness on epilepsy and ending the stigma.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain, affecting 50 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common neurological diseases.
People suffering from epilepsy, 80 per cent of them live in low and middle-income countries. There is an effective treatment available but many do not seek it for fear of discrimination and stigmatisation.
Dr Chris Nathaniel, medical head for speciality care at Norvartis Southern Africa said, “According to the World Health Organization, in low- and middle-income countries, about three-fourths of people with epilepsy may not receive the treatment they need.
“This unfortunate ‘treatment gap’ exists despite the fact that inexpensive medication is available to control epileptic seizures. In fact, studies in both low- and middle-income countries have shown that up to 70 per cent of children and adults with epilepsy can be successfully treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Furthermore, after two to five years of successful treatment and being seizure-free, drugs can be withdrawn in about 70 per cent of children and 60 per cent of adults without subsequent relapse.”
Dr Nathaniel added, “It’s time to end the stigma, which can impact on the quality of life for people with the disorder and their families.”
To end the stigma, Novartis said that people suffering from epilepsy need to be made aware that there are affordable treatments available that will be able to control or avoid seizures and decrease other health impacts.
For more information visit Epilepsy South Africa
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