By Mama A Touray
Dr John N Jabang has disclosed that 15 million people are affected by epilepsy worldwide during commemoration of International Day of Epilepsy held in Banjul.
Speaking at the ceremony he said: “today is the first time we are commemorating International Epilepsy Day and this is very important event epilepsy is a neurological disease and it’s a disease of the brain that is affecting fifteen million people worldwide if you followed the world health organization report”
According to him, 50 percent of all people who are affected with epilepsy live in low and middle-income countries.
“In Africa and now all parts of the world epilepsy is associated with so many challenges that it is caused by the genes and that has added to the volume of epilepsy,” he added.
He thanked Fatou Bah Barrow Foundation, Foundation for Epilepsy Stigma and Support and also medical proprietress and Modou Njai director of health promotion for the support to see the event a successful event.
Meanwhile, Professor Ramou Njie said “many people in Africa still associates epilepsy with the devil and Jin. But there is no Jin involved in epilepsy,” adding that “epilepsy is a chronicle brain disease just like, you have heart disease, stomach illness or joint pain but in epilepsy the disease is with the brain”
She said there is EEG machine donated by the foundation of epilepsy stigma and support which they can put around the brain and diagnose what type of epilepsy it is and give the right treatment.
“Epilepsy can be treated, so let’s help each other in different communities to sensitize our families that epilepsy is nothing but a chronicle brain disease and it can be diagnosed, treated and controlled” she said.