Approximately 1% of Fiji’s population suffer from epilepsy

Approximately 1% of Fiji’s population or about 8000 people suffer from epilepsy.

This was revealed at the International Epilepsy Day celebrations at CWM Hospital today.

Consultant Physician Dr. Shrish Acharya says that epilepsy can happen to anybody and at any age.

He says sometimes it is hard for them to diagnose people because many people do not come forward if they have the disease as they may fear the stigma association with epilepsy.

Meanwhile, a EEG laboratory which is the first for Fiji and the Pacific was also opened today.

Acharya says the lab has a machine which reads the brain waves and will give them better information about patients with epilepsy as to how their brain works.

He says this information will then help them to treat patients better.

President Jioji Konrote opened the lab and was also the chief guest at the International Epilepsy Day.