56 people die of SUDEP annually –Sinvula
With no statistics on people living with epilepsy in Botswana, an average of 56 die from seizures called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) every year in the country, a health official has said.
Speaking at the Young Epilepsy Botswana’s (YEB) eighth annual Purple Walk event themed, ‘So They Never Have A Seizure Again’ in Gaborone on Saturday, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Morrison Sinvula said epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal.
He said the abnormality causes seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. He further explained that more children have epilepsy than adults. Sinvula also said in most cases individuals get epilepsy when they have had head injuries or when children happened to accidentally consume their faeces before birth. He added that even though SUDEP is rare, those who continue to have seizures are at greater risk of several complications, which is why preventing seizures and other problems, is important.
He pointed out that the most serious complications are injuries and deaths from seizures. He explained that in most cases when a person is having a seizure, they tend to have difficulty breathing or have a loss of breath which also affects the brain and kills brain cells, which ends up killing that person. “I want the public to do away with myths associated with epilepsy. They should know that it is neither witchcraft, demonic nor is it infectious and contagious.
It is important to know how to help a person living with epilepsy especially when they have a seizure because it can save a life. Let’s stop discrimination against epilepsy,” Sinvula said.
He added that he would like to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders dealing with people living with epilepsy and see how they could record statistics of patients as well as sensitise the public about it and ensure that people with the condition get treatment. In her speech Goitsemang Morekisi, whose son died from SUDEP, sensitised the public about it and advised people living with epilepsy to faithfully take their medications to avoid it.
She also called the public to refrain from stigma and called people living with the condition to avoid alcohol consumption and stress. She said it was high time the public was aware of epilepsy and how they could help patients when they have attacks just like her late child Morekisi Morekisi who was not only her son but also a friend to his peers. For her part, 13-year-old Katlego Matheakgomo who is also a Miss Hope Teen queen explained that living with epilepsy was not easy as she was discriminated against by her peers at school.
However, she did not let that demoralise her against all odds as she managed to ace her primary school leaving examinations (PSLE) and attained an A. With the help of family, friends and mentors she regained her confidence and sensitised her peers about the condition. Even though it was not easy, she said she now leaves a better and healthy lifestyle despite having to sacrifice things like favourite foods and playtime.