The launch of a clinic for the treatment of epilepsy in Maridi (South Sudan), supported by the Italian Cooperation, is linked to a decrease in the mortality rate among individuals with epilepsy in those areas of the African country where the prevalence of the neurological disease (including Nodding Syndrome) is highest. This is highlighted in a scientific article published in Seizure – European Journal of Epilepsy by a team of Italian, Belgian, South Sudanese, and British researchers. The full publication is available at this link.
The project “NSA: Nodding Syndrome Alliance – Integrated response to the needs of communities affected by Nodding Syndrome and other forms of epilepsy in South Sudan,” funded 90% by AICS (1,792,990.08 euros) and 10% by Amref Health (199,221.12 euros), addressed not only specific health needs but also issues related to food security for people affected by epilepsy and Nodding Syndrome through an integrated and multisectoral approach, aimed at strengthening their resilience and that of their communities.
According to the scientific article, between 2018 and 2024, epilepsy-related mortality in Maridi decreased 4.2 times, from 78.3 to 18.7 cases per 1,000 people per year.
Proposed as a consortium with Medici con l’Africa CUAMM, OVCI La Nostra Famiglia, Light for the World, and Sudan Evangelic Mission in response to the 2018 AICS Call for Proposals for Civil Society Organizations, the NSA project led by Amref Health also contributed to the purchase of equipment and the training of healthcare workers to provide specialized care for epilepsy.