Afrigather Neurological problems are a big contributor to the worldwide mortality and morbidity. They’re chargeable for near 9 million deaths per 12 months. While it’s estimated that globally, about 50 million individuals undergo from epilepsy alone. Out of this quantity, 80% reside in low- and middle-income international locations the place only one out of 4 has entry to remedy.
In Ghana, it’s estimated that 1% of the inhabitants reside with epilepsy, representing 270,000 individuals, with a remedy hole of 85%.
To handle the challenges and gaps in offering take care of individuals with epilepsy and different neurological problems, the Seventy-fifth World Well being Meeting (WHA) in Might 2022 adopted the Intersectoral world motion plan on epilepsy and different neurological problems (IGAP), which goals to enhance entry to care and remedy for individuals residing with neurological problems whereas stopping new instances and selling mind well being and improvement throughout the life course.
In consequence, WHO and different companions have been participating stakeholders to share concepts in the direction of the efficient implementation of the Intersectoral world motion plan on epilepsy and neurological problems in Ghana.
“There’s the necessity for collaboration between related stakeholders – everybody in healthcare in any respect ranges, social care, advocacy and civil organizations, researchers, and educational establishments in a bid to enhance providers for epilepsy and different neurological ailments are in Ghana”, famous WHO Consultant to Ghana, Dr. Francis Kasolo on the stakeholders assembly on epilepsy and different neurological problems in Ghana.
For Ghana, the Intersectoral world motion plan on epilepsy and different neurological problems will construct on the achievement of the “Battle towards epilepsy” initiative rolled out in Ghana between 2012 and 2016, which supplied remedy and care to over 2,700 individuals residing with epilepsy who have been beforehand not identified.
“Now we have seen what we are able to obtain if we work collectively. Subsequently, the Ministry of Well being will proceed to work with WHO and different companions to aggressively pursue interventions that enhance the lives of individuals epilepsy and different neurological problems”, says Dr (Mrs) Joycelyn Azeez, Director of Pharmacy, Ministry of Well being.
The nation can be benefiting from different WHO-led interventions such because the psychological well being hole motion programme (mhGAP), which is geared toward coaching non-specialist well being employees to diagnose and handle psychological, neurological and substance use circumstances.
The IGAP is a complete programme that outlines 5 strategic goals, every comprising two targets, which international locations ought to obtain by 2031.
