By Patrick Biddah
A neurodiagnostic center, the Purple Point Neurodiagnostic centre, has entreated Ghanaians not to see epilepsy as a disease caused by spirit.
According to the centre, epilepsy is proven to be caused by a medical condition, which can be cured using surgery and other scientific medication to treat it.
The centre also explained that, rushing an epileptic patient to the hospital after the first five minutes of the attack, is critical for their survival.
Speaking at a function at Madina in Accra on February 10, 2025, to mark this year’s World Epilepsy Day, a General Nurse with the Greater Accra Regional hospital, Lydia Setsoafia, intimated that epilepsy which is associated with seizures, are traced to brain when it develops a ‘ fault ‘.
She said one (1) out of every (10) Ghanaian, have the condition and can be treated and cured, depending on the state.
Defining and separating seizures from Epilepsy which are normally confused with, she said seizure is said to have occurred when the patient suddenly falls down more than twice and goes on to manifest stiff tendencies which last more than five minutes.
According to madam Setsoafia, it is at this point that a patient should be rushed to the hospital for medical care.
The World Epilepsy Day, was marked in collaboration with the Traditional Healers Association, who were also trained on the first aid and certificates given accordingly.
According to madam Setsoafia, however, this collaboration is to encourage practitioners to ensure they send patient to seek medical care before assigning any spiritual interpretations .
Outlining some warning signs before a seizure will occur; she revealed that a victim will experience the sensation about flashes of light and in some cases experience panic attacks.
With over 60 types of seizures and Epilepsy, some activities which triggers it, includes sexual activities, reading, loud noise, raging fire, heights and water bodies.
In view of these, the nurse, urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to offer first aid service when they happen to be in a space when a patient gets an attack.
During a demonstration on how to offer first aid which was christened “ STAY, SAVE, SIDE, Madam Setsoafia, advised that first aiders should maintain and follow simple protocols such as creating space around the victim and then protecting them from hitting their head against a hard surface.
She reiterated the need to offer these first aid in order ro protect the lives of these victims who normally do not know what happened to them when they had an attack.
