Epilepsy foundation looking to collaborate with Public Health Ministry

Jun 22, 2015 News

The Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) is looking to partner with the Ministry of Public Health to raise awareness on the neurological condition throughout the country.
During an interview with the President of the EFG, Dr Thomas Singh, related to this newspaper that the group is looking to collaborate with the Ministry to decrease the number of deaths brought on by epileptic episodes.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition whereby sufferers are characterised by a tendency for recurrent seizures which range from brief to long periods of vigorous shaking. The condition is more commonly known as “fits” in Guyana.
The objectives of the EFG are to raise awareness to the condition, advance medical treatment with regards to epilepsy and collecting data on persons experiencing epileptic episodes in Guyana.
Singh had previously related that as a sufferer of epileptic seizures, he found it troubling that Guyanese on the whole are vastly unaware of the medical condition.

Some members of the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana

While at the group’s annual general meeting, Dr. Singh related that the foundation will be going to schools and workplaces in the coming year in order to increase awareness of the conditions.
“We want to let the public know that epileptics are not demon possessed and to address the superstition that affects our population,” said Dr. Singh.
Moving forward, the EFG also plans on bringing in neurologists and building international partnerships in order to better educate the nation on the neurological condition. He said that it is of extreme concern that people are dying of epileptic seizures because the general populace does not know how to deal with an episode.
Dr. Singh related that what is required is for people to be educated as to how to manage epileptic seizures and to expose the public to available medication.
“What’s recommended is that the area be cleared and that there should be no attempt to restrain the person because seizures will pass,” advised Dr. Singh.
“Care must be taken to ensure that the air passageway is cleared. If the person is vomiting, ensure the person is turned to the side and don’t put anything in the person’s mouth.”
The EFG President added that persons must ensure that the epileptic does not injure themselves.
He said that the Public Health Ministry can ensure that brochures and other paraphernalia are available in health centers to educate persons.
However, as for the “far flung” communities in Guyana, Dr Singh related that it is important to have personnel available to educate those who are illiterate. It is for this reason that the EFG wants to collaborate with the Public Health Ministry so as to facilitate the availability of practical information.
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy.