There’s scarcity of treatment for epilepsy in low-income countries —WHO

Three-quarters of people living with epilepsy in low-income countries do not get the treatment they need, increasing their risk of dying prematurely and condemning many to a life of stigma.

The findings are published in “Epilepsy, a Public Health Imperative” released by World Health Organisation (WHO) and leading non-governmental organisations for epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

“The treatment gap for epilepsy is unacceptably high, when we know that 70 per cent of people with the condition can be seizure-free when they have access to medicines that can cost as little as US$5 per year and can be delivered through primary health systems,” said Dr Tarun Dua, from WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

How young Nigerian ‘disrespected’ Prof Wole Soyinka — Billionaire Tonye Cole shares flight experience

The risk of premature death in people with epilepsy is up to three times higher than for the general population. In low- and middle-income countries, early death among people with epilepsy is significantly higher than in high-income countries.

This premature mortality in low- and middle-income countries is likely associated with lack of access to health facilities when seizures are long-lasting or occur close together without recovery in between, and preventable causes such as drowning, head injuries and burns.

Roughly half of adults with epilepsy have at least one other health condition. The most common are depression and anxiety: 23 per cent of adults with epilepsy will experience clinical depression during their lifetime and 20 per cent will have anxiety.

Mental health conditions such as these can make seizures worse and reduce quality of life. Development and learning difficulties are experienced by 30 to 40 per cent of children with epilepsy.

Stigma about the condition is also widespread.

“The stigma associated with epilepsy is one of the main factors preventing people from seeking treatment,” said Dr Martin Brodie, President of the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

“Many children with epilepsy do not go to school and adults are denied work, the right to drive and even to get married. These human rights violations experienced by people with epilepsy need to come to an end.”

Public information campaigns in schools, workplaces, and the broader community to help reduce stigma and the introduction of legislation to prevent discrimination and violations of human rights are also important elements of the public health response.

But the report also shows that when the political will exists, the diagnosis of and treatment for epilepsy can be successfully integrated into primary health services.

Pilot programmes introduced in Ghana, Mozambique, Myanmar and Viet Nam as part of WHO’s “Reducing the epilepsy treatment gap” have led to a considerable increase in access, such that 6.5 million more people have access to treatment for epilepsy should they need it.

“We know how to reduce the epilepsy treatment gap. Now, action to introduce the measures needed to make a difference needs to be accelerated,” said Dr Samuel Wiebe, president of the International League Against Epilepsy.