By Andrew Mwanandiye Tembo
National Epilepsy Association of Malawi (NEAM)has disclosed that about 65 percent of learners with epilepsy have been absconding schools due stigma impact.
Speaking in an interview, National Coordinator for NEAM ,Chifundo Zamadunga said following the magnitude of the stigma,NEAM had embarked on “Stigma free program” in which it seeks to coordinate with concerned stakeholders to curb the challenge and commenced working together in April last last year.
” we learnt with shock that a lot of people in schools, were absconding classes and we registered a higher rate of school drop outs as a result of stigma among those with Epilepsy, in the country,hence the engagements”
Said Zamadunga.
And in her evaluation of the current outputs, Zamadunga described the progress as positive for among the stakeholders Traditional leaders, Parents of the clients and Teachers have shown their passion to serve as village custodians in sensitizing the learners to live a stigma free life,so as toproceed with their education in addition to taking medication.
She Said”Today, we successfully managed to have an engagement meeting with the chiefs to serve as village custodians and we have advised parents and guardians to make sure that the clients are getting medication as required”.
Zamadunga further cited shortage of drug as another hiccup which prompted the learners to develop the fear.
She said ,some learners could choose to drop out of schools for fear of the unknown which is commonly manifested by the stigma therefore engagements of the ministrynistry of Education and Health is fully needed.
NEAM has since reached four schools both primary and secondary,among them are Mpemba primary school in Blantyre, Tsogolo and Kawale primary schools in Lilongwe and promised to reach all the districts of the country.
