Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affects millions globally. In Kenya, over one million people live with epilepsy, with a prevalence rate of approximately one in every 100 individuals. Taita Taveta County, situated in Kenya’s coastal region, mirrors this national trend, where cultural misconceptions and limited healthcare resources pose significant challenges to effective management and support for individuals with epilepsy.
According to Patrick Ngechu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association for the welfare of People with Epilepsy (KAWE), the worrying gap is the treatment gap which stands at about 80% in Kenya. That means out of 10 people with epilepsy, only 2 are able to access healthcare facilities and the other 8 go to be prayed for by pastors and to go to witchdoctors. This is the reason as to why they are conducting public awareness in various counties.
“We estimate that we have about 2% of our population with epilepsy in Kenya. That translates to about above a million people with epilepsy. The gaps that exist all across our counties is knowledge gap, treatment gap and stigma gap.
That’s why we are here today at Taita Taveta County to engage with the community groups, religious leaders, and the county government to see how we can be able to reduce these gaps,” said Patrick Ngechu.
In many communities within Taita Taveta, epilepsy is often misunderstood. Traditional beliefs sometimes attribute seizures to supernatural causes such as curses or witchcraft. This stigma leads to social exclusion and discourages families from seeking medical treatment, opting instead for traditional healers or religious interventions. The fear of discrimination and isolation further exacerbates the difficulties faced by individuals with epilepsy and their families.
“So, we want to demystify and correct these myths and misinformation by sharing with the public the correct information so that they can be able to see these people as their brothers and sisters, they become caregivers to these people and have this group of people who have been neglected for a very long time be part of our society,” said Patrick Ngechu.
In addition, as a way to reduce these gaps, the Ministry of Health in partnership with other stakeholders introduced the return investment policy to encourage Kenyans to support people living with epilepsy which so far has borne some fruits.
“There was an investment case that was done by the MOH, the Ministry of Health and it’s called the Kenya Mental Health Investment Case that gave epilepsy a return on investment of about 5.5. So that means for every one Kenyan shilling spent to help and manage epilepsy there is a return on investment of 5.5 shillings. We are looking at it from an investment element so that people can be engaged and they can pay taxes, they can regain meaningful life and lead life like any other person,” said Patrick Ngechu, CEO KAWE.
According to Kenya Association for the welfare of people living with Epilepsy, the investment program has managed to collect over 66 billion that has benefited the healthcare sector in Kenya by the year 2021.
In addition, the government has some funding at the NCPWD, that is the National Council of Persons with Disabilities that is giving medication for free for people with epilepsy. It’s a well-timed intervention because most of the patients are vulnerable and epilepsy is associated with poverty.
In addition, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities coordinator Taita Taveta, Fatuma Kadzo, says they have ensured all people with epilepsy have been registered with the council to enable them to benefit from the funds like any other persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, Fatuma said they are engaging the county assemblies to ensure they allocate funds support PWD programs which will also benefit people living with epilepsy.
“We have inadequate resources that is why we also engage the county assemblies so that we give them the importance of engaging these people with epilepsy and looking at them from an investment point of view instead of a cost center. So, we would say government has helped. We want more help. We are seeing some little fruits with SHA but we hope that eventually we will realize the whole benefits of what SHA is meant to give people with epilepsy,” said Fatuma Kadzo.
“One of the bigger challenges as a person living with epilepsy is lack of funds. I may not have money to get the medicine and when I do, I only buy for one day when I need enough for a month, but now I have a card that enables me to get the medicine,” said Amina.
Health care facilities in Taita Taveta face challenges such as understaffing and limited resources, which can impact the quality of care provided to patients, including those with epilepsy. The scarcity of specialized services and the distance to healthcare centers often deter individuals from seeking timely medical attention.
Recognizing the need for increased awareness and support, various organizations have initiated programs in Taita Taveta County. The Kenya Association for the Welfare of People with Epilepsy (KAWE) has been involved in training healthcare workers and community leaders to enhance understanding and support for individuals with epilepsy. Their efforts focus on integrating epilepsy care into primary healthcare services and fostering inclusive communities.
By fostering a more informed and supportive environment, Taita Taveta County can improve the quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy, ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve.
