Angaza Kifafa campaign being launched in Kisumu, September 29, 2017. [Photo County Government of Kisumu]Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Ochieng' Owili flagged off the Angaza Kifafa Campaign caravan at the governor's office.This was in a bid to campaign against Epilepsy.He said he was delighted that the National Epilepsy Coordination Committee (NECC) chose to make Kisumu the 9th stop of the 47 counties as they raise awareness against the condition across the country .According to statistics 90 per cent of all reported cases of Epilepsy in Africa go untreated."This is a most unfortunate state of affairs given that up to 70% of all reported cases can be treated. The statistics in Kenya, through the Ministry of Health, show a picture even more alarming with up to 1 million cases of people living with the condition and yet only 20,000 patients seek treatment," revealed Owili.He cited poor access to clinical care, poor access to appropriate and affordable medication, misleading socio-cultural beliefs and myths, poverty, societal stigma and ill resourced health care system."In our manifesto, we pledged to promote equitable access to quality healthcare across the county as well as invest in skilled healthcare workers. Your visit to us today, will help us enroute to building awareness and sensitizing those affected about the options available to ensure a more comfortable and improved quality of life for the affected," Owili said, Friday.As a health condition, he noted, Epilepsy has been left out in policy decision making, due to lack of awareness of data and information. "It's under this backdrop that this campaign is paramount to build on the momentum that awareness will create to collect essential data," he added.

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