There is growing concern for the eradication of stigma related to epilepsy. This has yielded positive results with decreased stigma.
“Step Up Against Stigma” is the theme of International Epilepsy Day 2023.The day is celebrated annually on the second Monday of February. Statistics report of 65 million people in the world living with epilepsy. When stigmatized, persons with epilepsy experience serious harm on their physical, mental, and social wellbeing, research indicates.
Epilepsy is a public health imperative requiring global response. There has been marked stigma associated with the pathology. In line with the theme of this year’s International Day of Epilepsy, Cameroon Infotrend spoke with some persons living with epilepsy to assess stigma.
Ngemukum Magdelena, in Bambili shared her story.
“I have been living with epilepsy for twenty six years now. It started when I gave birth to my first child. Those who know that i am a patient are not afraid. They treat me well. The problem i have is that the tablets are scarce. At times I don’t have money to buy the tablets. And when the tablets are not available it causes me to skip days which in turn worsens the epilepsy and causes me go into seizures. What i will advise is that people should understand me especially when I’m conversing because there are times that the epilepsy suddenly causes me to get mute. So when i am conversing, people just need to understand when i get mute. They should bear with me until i recover from the speech seizure. The good thing today is that the stigma has reduced because many people are aware that epilepsy is not a contagious” Magdalene remarked concerning stigma
Romanus Mbahnui has a son living with epilepsy. In his daily task of raising up his son, Oliver Tamasang, he notes that the incidence of stigma has dropped. He sharing his experience with Cameroon Infotrend.
“I have a 17 year old child who has been suffering with epilepsy since birth. Many people say it is caused vy witchcraft. They always advice me to go to the native doctor. But i give my son the prescribed conventional medicine. Considering stigma, people used to be afraid when ever my son falls into a fit. But many understand now and they help to revive the child when he gets into a seizures. I also encourage my son and caution him to take his drugs”
Asongwe Elvis, lives with epilepsy. He is the president of Tubah Network of Persons with Disability. His views about epilepsy when compared to yester year’s signify a drop in stigma.
“At first, so many people were afraid of persons with epilepsy. I was greatly affected by stigma such that I left school in form two, because whenever I have a fit people would say it is witchcraft. They would ask nobody to touch me. Because of awareness, stigma has reduced when compares to past years and now everyone is realizing that epilepsy is not transmissible by contact. The government through the Ministry of Social Affairs offers disability cards to persons with epilepsy. With the disability card the education of persons with epilepsy, their kids and spouse is free. Hospital bills are also covered. My advice is that let no body be afraid of anyone with epilepsy. Stop stigmatizing persons with epilepsy. When you see them, instead go closer. Since 1998, I have been living with epilepsy; that is twenty five years now. As the president of Persons with Disability in Bambili, sensitize people about the facts and myths of epilepsy. I also work together with Mr Nsom Kenneth, of CODEF who also moves around to educate people about epilepsy” Elvis said
Communication Development and Epilepsy Foundation-CODEF, is an NGO that works for the wellbeing of persons with epilepsy. Its Founder is Mr Nsom Kenneth. The organisation’s founder told Cameroon Infotrend that “stigma erupts as a result of myths and misconceptions about epilepsy so we are striving to reduce this because we can not actually cause people to stop the way they behave. We need to reduce stigma by educating the Public about what epilepsy is, the facts” and myths about epilepsy. We need as well as families and caregivers to give Persons with epilepsy opportunities to share their live experiences with stigma and how they managed to cope with it. Policy makers need to prioritize and incorporate epilepsy into the national health development plan of Cameroon. Finally we need to change our attitude or behaviours towards persons with epilepsy because we quite often forget to know that attitudes hurt” he said.
The international Bureau for Epilepsy IBE notes that stigma related to epilepsy is still prevalent in different parts of the world. The IBE promotes the education of people about epilepsy and dispelling the myths in orde to reduce stigma and discrimination at school, at work, in the clinic, across the community and at home.
This year’s theme for International Epilepsy Day, “Step Up Against Stigma”, provides a platform for people with epilepsy, and those who care for them, to dispel myths with facts.
PHOTO: Man holds out placard with words against stigma related to epilepsy
Story By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
Pictures by Nsom Kenneth
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