World Health Organisation (WHO) has said about 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.
According to WHO, epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disorder of the brain that affects people worldwide.
In a report, the WHO stated that nearly 80% of the people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries. People with epilepsy respond to treatment approximately 70% of the time.
“About three fourths of people with epilepsy living in low- and middle- income countries do not get the treatment they need. In many parts of the world, people with epilepsy and their families suffer from stigma and discrimination,” the report said.
The report further explained that characteristics of seizures vary and depend on where in the brain the disturbance first starts, and how far it spreads.
“…Temporary symptoms occur, such as loss of awareness or consciousness, and disturbances of movement, sensation (including vision, hearing and taste), mood, or other cognitive functions.
People with seizures tend to have more physical problems (such as fractures and bruising from injuries related to seizures), as well as higher rates of psychological conditions, including anxiety and depression,” it’s stressed.
WHO revealed that globally, an estimated 2.4 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year.
It pointed that in high-income countries, annual new cases are between 30 and 50 per 100 000 people in the general population. In low- and middle-income countries, this figure can be up to two times higher.
“This is likely due to the increased risk of endemic conditions such as malaria or neurocysticercosis; the higher incidence of road traffic injuries; birth-related injuries; and variations in medical infrastructure, availability of preventative health programmes and accessible care.
“Close to 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries,” the report asserted.
According to the WHO, epilepsy accounts for 0.6%, of the global burden of disease, a time-based measure that combines years of life lost due to premature mortality and time lived in less than full health.
The report further stressed that WHO in partnership with International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) are carrying out a global campaign – “Out of the Shadows” – to provide better information and raise awareness about epilepsy and strengthen public and private efforts to improve care and reduce the disorder’s impact.
WHO stated that the project aims at reducing the treatment gap and morbidity of people with epilepsy, and to train and educate health professionals, to dispel stigma, to identify potential prevention strategies.
“In particular, the WHO Programme on Reducing the Epilepsy Treatment Gap and the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) currently seek to achieve these goals in Ghana, Mozambique, Myanmar and Viet Nam,” the report said.
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