Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili speaking to the press after flagging off awareness creation caravan on epilepsy. [Photo|hivisasa.com]
The National Epilepsy Coordination Committee has decried low awareness level about epilepsy in the county.
The Committee has in the meantime kicked off a countrywide awareness creation that will see them visit all the 47 counties.
The Committee chairman Dr Simon Kariuki reiterated that epilepsy was a hundred percent curable disease.
“We are out here to give proper information to the public on epilepsy, we are determined to pass this knowledge,” said Kariuki.
Kariuki said the disease is shrouded in myths and the awareness creation will offer scientific knowledge to Kenyans.
Speaking in Kisumu on Friday, the 9th county the Committee is visiting, Kariuki noted that the Committee will also reach out to health personnel to build their capacity on how to handle patients with epilepsy.
Kisumu County Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili said epilepsy is neither a mysterious nor an incurable disease but it can be successfully treated by regular use of medicine.
Owili said many families are suffering in silence and is optimistic that the awareness creation will help families to come out and deal with the situation.
He further announced that as a county they will strive to document the extent of the disease.
Owili noted that epilepsy as a health condition has always been left out in policy decision making due to lack of awareness of data and formation.
“In our manifesto, we pledged to promote equitable access to quality healthcare across the country as well as invest in skilled healthcare workers,” said Owili.