Ethiopia National Epilepsy Week 2017
Ethiopia announced its 2nd National Epilepsy Week
Ethiopia held the 2nd National Epilepsy Week Walk in Mizan Aman town, Bench Maji Zone, Southern region of Ethiopia on the 11th June 2017. The 2nd National Epilepsy Week was a joint initiative, between CareEpilepsy Ethiopia, Federal Ministry of Health and the Southern Nations and Nationalities People Republic Health Bureau under the leadership of CareEpilepsy. The campaign aim was to raise general awareness and understanding of epilepsy to eradicate stigma and discrimination. Walks, local and national broadcast media such as radio and television and recorded music, flyers as well as digital media and outdoor media were used to promote the event.
The Walk Was a Huge Success
- More than 500 people attended the walk
- 50,000 epilepsy information leaflets were sent out to the SNNPR Health Bureau and Bench Maji Zone Health Office to be distributed in district hospitals and health centres
- 20 volunteers from Mizan Tepi University’s drama club performed the epilepsy response and recovery position in the street of Mizan Aman Town on National Walk for Epilepsy day.
- 300,000 Birr (£8,000) were collected in sponsorship money
- Because of the National Epilepsy week campaign, the Bench Maji Zone Health Office (BMZHO) took an audit of people with epilepsy in Bench Maji Zone to identify people with epilepsy.
- 1,750 people with epilepsy, who live in Guraferda woreda in Bench Maji Zone, gained access to antiepileptic medication. These patients had never before received medical care or used anti-epileptic medication.
