Anew study by Makerere University College of Health Sciences has found Uganda with highest Epilepsy prevalence in the World.
According to the study Uganda tops with 1.69% compared to 1% of the global epilepsy burden.
Epilepsy is the most common chronic disorder in the world. Approximately 1% of the population in the world has epilepsy.
“In uganda however a recent study led by among others Dr Angelina Kakooza of Makerere University School of Public Health found an alarming high epilepsy prevalence of 1.69%meaning that over 770,000 Ugandans live with epilepsy.
According to Dr Kakooza, affected individuals have a propensity to have repeated fits, seizures on convulsions mostly due to adefect in the control of electrical discharges in the brain.
This propensity for current seizures may be inherited, be a consequence of abnormal brain development or acquired later in life.
Dr Kakooza attributes the causes to brain injury in new born babies during difficult labour, brain injury from infections such as celebral malaria and meningitis and Road accidents.
Others are genetic disorders and abnormal development if the brain.
Kakooza however said seisures in over 70% can be controlled with anti seizure medicines. Anti seizure medications are available across the country although the types and range may vary with the level of the health unit. Unfortunately many do not receive such life giving treatmentd because of poor understanding of the disease and stigma.
“Many of the affected children are denied school and the few in school are sent back and instructed to returm after they have cured,”he stressed.
Kakooza says this unfortunate practice denies education for chikdren with epilepsy and prevents them from gaining skills for future livehood.
“Many adults are also denied work and some even struggle to get married,” he explained.
Treatment in Uganda
According to Dr. Richard Idro Associate Professor of Paediatrics Nd Child Health Makerere University School of Public Health says
In 2022, Cure Hospital ugabda decided to expand its range of services to include epilepsy surgery. Working with Ann&Robert Lurie Childrens hospital of Chcago the nureosurgical and anesthesiology teams trained in epilepsy surgery and on August 2022 set up programs in Uganda at Nsambya and Mulago resulting to first set of four children being operated from 10th to 12th October 2023.
