BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In a significant victory for epilepsy awareness and workplace inclusivity, eight individuals who were previously dismissed from their jobs due to their medical condition have been reinstated, thanks to the intervention of the Eswatini Epilepsy Organisation (EEO).
EEO Director Abraham Ntshalintshali shared this development on February 10, 2025, during a press conference held in commemoration of International Epilepsy Day. The conference aimed to advocate for the rights of people living with epilepsy and to urge society to work towards eliminating the stigma associated with the condition.
Ntshalintshali revealed that the organisation had been handling 12 cases of employees who lost their jobs due to epilepsy. While eight have successfully been reinstated, he did not disclose further details regarding the remaining four cases.
During his address, he called on the Ministry of Education and Training to ensure that schools provide designated first-aid rooms for students with epilepsy, where they can receive immediate care during seizures. He emphasized that such measures would greatly benefit students and improve their safety in educational institutions.
The director also highlighted the impact of climate conditions on individuals with epilepsy, stating that warm to hot environments exacerbate their condition. He stressed the need for employers to consider providing suitable working conditions, particularly cooler indoor environments, for epileptic employees. However, he acknowledged that workplace policies often dictate who qualifies for indoor jobs, making it a challenge to secure appropriate placements for affected individuals.
Members of the organisation shared their personal experiences, expressing frustration over workplace discrimination. Many recounted incidents where their employers sought reasons to terminate their employment upon discovering their condition. Some were reportedly dismissed immediately after disclosing their epilepsy diagnosis.
Eswatini has been recognized as one of the leading African nations in addressing epilepsy-related issues. Currently, an estimated 65,000 people in the country are living with the condition. International Epilepsy Day, observed annually, is a global initiative led by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for individuals affected by epilepsy.
