The Silent Burden Of Epilepsy In Uganda.
A research carried out in some parts of Uganda reveals that 2 out of every 10 Ugandans is epileptic with the disease mostly high in the northern region.
Speaking at the international epilepsy day event in Kampala today, Dr.Angelina Kakooza the chairperson international lead against Epilepsy in Africa reveals that the 2% represents those who have been diagnosed and confirmed to be having the disease.
She further notes that there are very many Ugandans who don’t know their status.
“7 in 10 people in Uganda are not aware that they have epilepsy and only 1 in 4 were not seeking the right medication with many resorting to traditional means” said Dr Angelina.
However the commissioner mental health in the health ministry Dr. Hafusah lukwata confirms that governments plans to move away from health center based treatment to home based health care management to help care takers have basic knowledge on how to manage cases as they occur.
Meanwhile the executive director epilepsy support association Uganda Dr. Sara Nekesa decries the continued drug stock outs for epilepsy which pauses a health problem to people carrying the disease.
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