Before 2018, epilepsy in Zambia was treated as a mental illness by the health care system, though many people viewed it as a manifestation of demonic possession or witchcraft. Epilepsy education for the public was non-existent, and specialty care unheard of. Now Zambia's first neurology training program, launched in 2018, is shifting an entire country's perception of what epilepsy is, and how to treat it.
This episode includes interviews with Deanna Saylor, program director of the post-graduate training program in neurology at the University of Zambia, and Melody Asukile, an adult neurologist with an interest in epilepsy, and one of the program's first graduates.
Edited and produced by Nancy Volkers. Sharp Waves content is meant for informational purposes only and not as medical or clinical advice. The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
We welcome episode feedback and ideas for future episodes at podcast@ilae.org.
Selected recent Sharp Waves episodes also are available on YouTube. Most of the video podcast episodes have additional educational content, such as graphs, photos, and slides. The ILAE YouTube channel houses more than 300 videos, including previously recorded webinars, teaching courses, Congress interviews, and much more.
Visit the channel today and be sure to subscribe to stay up to date on all of our video resources.
Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.
Let us know how we're doing: podcast@ilae.org.
The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.