What are the challenges in treating epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries?

In this video, Professor Dr. Ley Sander discusses the major challenges in delivering epilepsy care in low- and middle-income countries. He highlights a lack of awareness that can lead to misconceptions and stigma, detering help-seeking, as well as system-level barriers, such as limited access to diagnostics and specialist care, and also healthcare ecosystem challenges, in which anti-seizure medication is often not available, accessible, or affordable. Pragmatic solutions are outlined: improved awareness for addressing issues of stigma, improving knowledge and training of healthcare workers – particularly non-specialists who often are the first line of contact for patients with epilepsy. These solutions should be integrated into existent local healthcare systems, rather than placed upon the population in need. Further to this, systems pertaining to distribution of medication should be improved, in order to increase access to medication.

Ley Sander, National Institute for Health Research University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK Epilepsy Society, Chalfont St Peter, UK Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, Netherlands