The International Epilepsy Day commemorations

Most Chapters across Africa in an attempt to promote and raise awareness on epilepsy hosted yet another successful #50million Steps for Epilepsy Challenge during the International Epilepsy Day, which was held last month. The 50 million steps are a step for every person affected by epilepsy in the world is an initiative meant to promote epilepsy awareness globally.

A woman holding a symbol of love during the International epilepsy day commemorations

According to the International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE), the initiators of the campaign, more than 122,009,748 steps were attained, more than doubling the set target. This is an indication of the incredible effort by advocates for epilepsy globally, who came together to ensure the goal is achieved. The idea behind #50million steps for Epilepsy challenge was that “When people walk in step together, nothing is impossible.” The #50million step walk started on the 10th of January and ended on International Epilepsy Day 2022 – which happened to be on the 14^th of February.

IBE –Africa Region, a continental body with 20 epilepsy organisations or chapters across the Africa, in its efforts to raise awareness in in the continent joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Epilepsy Day at the same time encouraging its Chapters to promote the campaign, resulting in its resounding success. The theme for this year’s Epilepsy Day was ‘I LOVE SOMEONE WITH EPILEPSY’, which was set aside in a bid to encourage everyone to embrace those with epilepsy through treating them with love, care and compassion.

“It is through these activities that as a continental body we hope that chapters and individuals are able to raise awareness, improve visibility, and increase the understanding of epilepsy in their respective communities across Africa and beyond, “reads statement by Epilepsy Africa. International Epilepsy Day is a special event which promotes awareness of epilepsy in more hence every year on the second Monday of February people join together to celebrate and highlight the problems faced by people with epilepsy, their families and carers.

According to the World Health Organisation epilepsy is one of the major brain disorders thought to affect between three and four million Africans. The condition is sometimes known as a seizure disorder, as such epilepsy is a chronic medical condition produced by a temporary change in the electrical function of the brain, causing seizures which affect awareness, movement or sensation. The disease affects people in all nations and of all races. Therefore, if the condition is left untreated, like any other disease, it could impede the social development of the patient.