Bystanders should never pour water on people having seizures or force objects into their mouths, an internal medicine resident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital has cautioned, urging the public to adopt safer first aid responses to epilepsy emergencies.
Dr Faiqa Bashir gave the advice on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday as part of activities marking International Epilepsy Day, saying incorrect interventions often cause more harm than the seizure itself.
She explained that some common practices in Ghana are dangerous and should be avoided. These include pouring water on seizure patients and putting spoons, fingers or other objects in their mouths during seizures.
Dr Bashir said seizures often involve sudden, violent jerking movements that can put patients at risk of injury. The first thing bystanders should do is clear the space around the person to prevent them from hitting their head or injuring themselves.
Bystanders should then gently turn the person onto their side, preferably the left side, so saliva or secretions can come out. Without this positioning, the person can choke, she explained.
After ensuring safety, she advised rushing the person to the nearest hospital even if the seizure stops on its own. This allows medical professionals to assess the patient and provide appropriate treatment or adjust medication if necessary.
Beyond first aid, Dr Bashir debunked common myths, insisting epilepsy is neither contagious nor spiritual. She emphasized there is absolutely no relationship between possession and epilepsy, and it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
She also outlined safety precautions for patients, particularly around driving. In the first six months to a year after diagnosis, doctors usually advise patients to avoid driving alone, with decisions made on a case by case basis by specialists.
At the policy level, she called on government to strengthen public education and improve hospital capacity. Education is key through awareness campaigns every year, she noted, adding that better diagnostic tools and imaging equipment in hospitals would help pick up cases early for treatment.
Dr Bashir added that with proper care and support, people living with epilepsy can thrive. She stressed the disease has no limitation on human capability whatsoever, and with the right treatment, patients can live completely normal lives.
International Epilepsy Day is observed annually on the second Monday of February. The 2026 theme is Epilepsy Pledge, focusing on turning awareness into concrete action through commitments from individuals, schools, workplaces and organizations to improve safety, inclusion and understanding for people living with epilepsy.
The day, established in 2015 by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), aims to raise awareness, combat stigma and advocate for better treatment access globally. Epilepsy affects about 50 million people worldwide, with nearly 80 per cent living in low and middle income countries.
