Africa-Press – Botswana. First Lady Ms Neo Masisi has encouraged organisations to promote awareness and support people living with epilepsy by providing a conducive environment at the workplace.
Speaking during Young Epilepsy Botswana (YEB) walk (Purple Day) aimed at sensitising the nation about epilepsy on Saturday, the chief walker, Ms Masisi said promoting epilepsy would enhance people’s health care situation so as to improve quality of life and wellbeing for people living with epilepsy.
She said it was important that all get sensitised about epilepsy, particularly focusing on how it affected individuals at the workplace, and therefore called on Batswana to educate themselves and promote epilepsy awereness.
She said it was important to understand the nature of the condition so as to challenge misconceptions surrounding epilepsy.
“People still need to do away with the myths associated with discrimination, hiding the illness, and must understand that epilepsy is a health condition that is medically manageable,” she said.
On the day celebrated under the theme; Epilepsy in the Workplace,” Ms Masisi highlighted the need for employees to understand the condition better and foster supportive environments for employees and clients living with epilepsy.
She urged human resources personnel in every organisation to promote awareness on epilepsy, saying that they should be able to conduct first aid support in case an employee or a customer suffered seizures.
“The first response in a seizure is very important, and it can save a life before seeking emergency medical help. We should all know the people living with epilepsy in our offices and show that they are a valuable asset in the organisation,” she said.
She further said the theme challenged all to know how to deal with and relate, saying all should understand what to do during and after, one had experienced seizures, and how to support those affected in the workplace.
She said epilepsy affected all ages, adding that more than 50 million people worldwide had epilepsy and roughly 80 per cent of them were from developing nations.
Ms Masisi thanked the model family (founders) of YEB for raising a voice on epilepsy and making it visible.
She said for that reason many Batswana had come out in the open about the illness, and desired to learn more.
She encouraged those with epilepsy to speak up, adding that the disease could be managed and stated that government was committed to ensuring that services to control epilepsy were available and that there was equitable access to medical care in line with primary health revitalisation and in the process ensuring that no one was left behind.
Sharing the sentiments, a clinical Neuro-psychologist, Dr Tumelo Kgolo-Ramashaba advised that epilepsy should not hinder anyone from thriving in the workplace, adding that experiencing seizures did not diminish one’s ability or capability in anyway.
She therefore encouraged people living with epilepsy to thrive in the mist of seizures.
The YEB President, Dr Ishmael Nshakashogwe thanked Batswana for acknowledging the reality and the journey of epilepsy, saying since YEB inception, people desiring to learn, partner with in regards to the disease, had been increasing each day.
Briefing about the Purple Walk, he said it was to sensitise and educate people about epilepsy.
“It has empowered people to come forward and embrace their epilepsy openly.”
Dr Nshakashogwe said many faced discrimination and stigma, leading them to hide their condition, adding that therefore the walk assisted with breaking the barriers, dispelling associated myths as well as creating a more supportive environment for people with epilepsy.
He said the society was working round the clock sensitising the public about epilepsy, saying such would go a long way in assisting during seizure episodes leading to a healthy nation in the process.
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