Epilepsy activists in Kilifi County are calling on the government to install epilepsy diagnostic machines in public hospitals across the country.
The human rights defenders argue that both county and national hospitals lack adequate equipment to diagnose and treat epilepsy effectively.
Fredrick Beuchi, an epilepsy advocate from Kilifi County, said the absence of these machines has severely hindered efforts to combat the disease.
“Unfortunately, most hospitals do not have the necessary equipment to diagnose and manage epilepsy,” Beuchi lamented.
He further emphasized that the lack of diagnostic machines has also made it difficult to conduct brain examinations for epilepsy patients.
Beuchi also raised concerns over the high cost of epilepsy treatment, which he said is unaffordable for many patients.
“Treating epilepsy is too expensive. Most patients simply cannot afford it,” he noted.
Additionally, he pointed out that county hospitals face a shortage of essential epilepsy medications, further worsening the situation for those living with the condition.
These concerns come as Kenya joins the global community in marking the International Day of Epilepsy Awareness.
Epilepsy is a chronic, noncommunicable neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. Globally, around 50 million people live with epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological conditions worldwide.