3227: Epilepsy Awareness in South Sudan: Breaking Myths, Reducing Stigma, and Saving Lives with Seizure First Aid

On Radio Miraya’s Health and Wellness Show, host Aluel Adiang marked International Epilepsy Day by raising awareness and standing in solidarity with people living with epilepsy, stressing that the condition is not only medical but also about dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Her guest, Kur Ezekiel, a public health officer and member of the Initiative for Epilepsy Awareness in South Sudan, explained that epilepsy is a neurological disorder linked to recurring, usually unprovoked seizures, while some seizures can also be triggered by other conditions such as low blood sugar, malaria, infections, stroke, or diabetes. He emphasised that epilepsy is not contagious and that stigma and myths, including beliefs about curses, drive discrimination in communities. Kur also shared basic seizure first-aid tips, including clearing the area to prevent injury, loosening tight clothing, avoiding restraint, not putting anything in the mouth, staying with them after the seizure, and reassuring them. The discussion also covered equal opportunities in school, work, and marriage, noting that most people living with epilepsy can live normal, productive lives, while caution is needed around certain high-risk activities like climbing heights or operating machinery.