Expert calls for more government attention to Epilepsy in Sierra Leone

An expert on the medical condition Epilepsy in Sierra Leone has called on the government to pay more attention to it in terms providing resources towards treatment of its suferers. Dr Radcliff Lisk, who is also director of the Sierra Leone Epilepsy Programme, said the condition poses more threat to the country than diseases like HIV in terms of number of cases.

The Epilepsy programme estimates that there are at least 60,000 sufferers in the country. All the categories of Epilepsy are found in Sierra Leone, the organization said.

Epilepsy is incurable but it also is not life threatening as a condition but it can cause accidental death.

Dr Lisk explained that the nature of the condition, which is basically the result of electrical spark in the brain, could cause a sudden attack and this could be dangerous for patients in dangerous environment.