An estimated 85,000 people in Sierra Leone live with epilepsy — yet 80 to 85 percent go untreated, largely due to limited access to care and persistent stigma. With proper diagnosis and treatment, 70 percent of people with epilepsy can live seizure-free. That is why, since 2018, HIRF has partnered with the ROW Foundation to provide critical epilepsy medicines to Loreto Health Services and other facilities across Sierra Leone. Loreto alone provides care to over 4,000 people and conducts outreach throughout the year to reach those most in need of care.
More recently, we have expanded our work to include training community health workers to recognize and refer epilepsy cases — extending care beyond the clinic and into the communities where stigma begins.
With funding from the Rotary Foundation, HIRF partnered with Rotary Bo, the ROW Foundation, and the Epilepsy Association of Sierra Leone to train community health workers (CHWs) to recognize and refer epilepsy cases — and to help replace fear and stigma with understanding, awareness, and compassion. Trainings were held in Bombali District, followed by week-long sessions in Bo and Pujehun Districts.
Sessions covered a range of topics, including an introduction to epilepsy and the challenges faced by those living with the condition, traditional beliefs and common misconceptions about epilepsy, seizure first aid, community engagement, advocacy, data collection, and psychosocial support.
Average increase in knowledge scores before and after training
Community Health Workers Training in Makeni, Bo, and Tonkolili Districts
Students reached with epilepsy awareness and stigma reduction training
Changing the Narrataive: A More Hoepful Future for Epilepsy Care in Sierra Leone – Click on the photo to read the full blog
Epilepsy Outreach Project: Bringing Hope and Healing – Click on the photo to read the full blog