FIRST Lady, Tandiwe Banda has urged people from all walks of life to learn more about epilepsy so that they can understand the disease and stop stigmatising against epileptic persons.

And the Epilepsy Association of Zambia (EAZ) has petitioned the Government over the non-availability of epilepsy treatment and medicine in public health centres around the country.

Speaking at the Seizure Free Day and the launch of the Promising Strategy Epilepsy Rehabilitation Project in Lusaka yesterday, Mrs Banda said the ill-treatment that epileptic persons suffered in society was as a result of lack of adequate and accurate information about the ailment.

"There is need to educate all members of society on the causes, consequences and treatment opportunities that are there for epileptic patients so that they can know that the disease is not as bad as they think, and only then will they change their attitude towards those who suffer from it," she said.

The first lady, who is also EAZ matron, said it was possible for people who were suffering from epilepsy to become seizure-free if good treatment, care and support could be made available to them.

She described as unfortunate the refusal by some employers to allow epileptic persons to work in their institutions and the sending out of epileptic children from school, saying they also deserved a place in those institutions just like all other persons.

Mrs Banda said it was the duty of every Zambian to care for the needs of the vulnerable in society, adding that people with epilepsy could contribute greatly to the country's well-being if opportunities were availed to them.

And presenting the statement on behalf of her organisation, EAZ youth chairperson, Leocardia Miti said the Government had a duty to make available free treatment and medicine for epileptic patients.

Ms Miti said epilepsy had received little attention compared to other non-communicable diseases like anaemia which, she said had received overwhelming support from both the Government and other stakeholders.

She petitioned the Government to take a leading role in epilepsy activities by creating a platform which would enable the association to effectively run its affairs while allowing epileptic persons to have access to education and employment.

"Unlike diseases like cancer and anaemia where the Government is more actively involved and even participate more actively in activities aimed at bringing awareness to them, there has been very little Government support towards epilepsy, which is maybe why there are still such high levels of stigma against people with the condition.

"We the people who have epilepsy would like to have a situation where we can walk into any health centre anywhere in the country and find epilepsy treatment services readily available, and that should include medicines," she said.

Earlier, EAZ president and African Bureau of Epilepsy (ABE) vice-president, Anthony Zimba said his association needed more support from the Ministry of Health because the needs of its clients were beyond its reach.

Mr Zimba appealed to all Zambians to help take care of people who had epilepsy because stopping of the seizures also depended on the care and support provided by the people around them.