By BANNERNEWS Reporter
Neurologists and other brain health specialists have called for urgent action to bridge wide gaps in epilepsy care in Nigeria.
The call was made in Kano at the 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Society of Neurological Sciences (NSNS), themed: “Bridging Gaps in Epilepsy Care: Innovations, Integration and Interdisciplinary Collaboration.”
President of NSNS, Prof. Morenikeji Komolafe, described the conference as historic, noting that hosting it in Kano reflects the society’s commitment to inclusivity and national spread. She said the theme aligns with the vision of the current executive and highlights epilepsy as a common yet highly stigmatised neurological disorder.
“This conference provides a platform to discuss practical solutions to epilepsy care and other neurological conditions,” she said.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Lukman Femi Owolabi, said bringing the conference to Kano marks a milestone in efforts to strengthen neurological practice nationwide. He noted that plenary sessions, workshops and symposia were structured to address contemporary challenges and emerging innovations in neurology and allied neurosciences.
Representing the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Prof. Suwaid Mohammed Abba described epilepsy as a major public health challenge characterised by delayed diagnosis, treatment gaps, stigma and limited access to specialised care.
“These realities confront us daily in our clinics and wards. A forum focused on practical solutions, innovation and collaboration is timely and necessary,” he said, citing advances in imaging and surgical interventions for drug-resistant epilepsy.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Musa Borodo, said epilepsy remains widely misunderstood, particularly in developing countries where diagnostic and treatment gaps are more pronounced. He stressed that untreated epilepsy in children can hinder social and educational development, underscoring the need for early intervention and multidisciplinary care.
Kano State Health Commissioner, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the state had upgraded 18 primary healthcare facilities to secondary status, renovated 320 primary healthcare centres and commenced recruitment of over 2,000 health workers, including 250 doctors, to strengthen service delivery.
