Lesotho has joined the global community in commemorating World Epilepsy Day, shedding light on a condition that affects millions worldwide.
The event held in Maseru on Monday aimed to raise awareness and promote understanding of epilepsy, a neurological disorder that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
Speaking during the commemoration, Minister of Health, Selibe Mochoboroane, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening support systems for Basotho with epilepsy.
Mochoboroane also pledged that epilepsy patients will receive comprehensive care and the respect they rightfully deserve including better access to treatment, improved referral systems and strengthened community educations programmes among others.
Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Lesotho, Public Health Officer at WHO, Dr Sirak Hailu,commended the government of Lesotho, particularly the Ministry of Health, for its continued efforts to raise awareness about epilepsy and address its risk factors.
“We recognise the important outreach work undertaken by the ministry and civil society organisations to educate communities. We also acknowledge preventive efforts by the Road Safety Department in reducing road traffic injuries, which are a known cause of epilepsy,” Dr Hailu noted.
