A Healthier Future for South Sudan's Families

When a South Sudanese man was 15 years old, he collapsed on the ground, convulsing involuntarily and momentarily losing consciousness. His family rallied around him, not sure what to do. When he recovered, he had no memory of the event. It was the first of many seizures he endured before being diagnosed and treated for epilepsy.

The man, now 27, lives in the Malakal Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in South Sudan. He had his first seizure in May 2012. Over the next decade, his seizures became more frequent and severe—he suffered from loss of consciousness, tongue biting, incontinence and bodily injuries during the episodes. The seizures disrupted his daily life, limiting his social interactions, schooling and ability to go to the riverside alone to fish. His friends feared that the condition might be contagious, so they avoided him. He felt helpless.

“My story took a remarkable turn when I sought treatment from an International Medical Corps primary healthcare clinic at the Malakal PoC site,” he explains.

In August 2022, he encountered a group of community psychosocial workers from International Medical Corps, who told him about the healthcare services—including mental health care—provided by our team at a clinic we support in Malakal.

“They told me about the services provided by International Medical Corps, including treatment of a condition that they said makes people fall unknowingly—and that was what I was suffering from!” he recalls. “I visited the clinic that day.”

When he arrived at the clinic, our staff welcomed him warmly. “After discussing my issue, the mental health officer told me that I had epilepsy and explained to me what it is, possible causes and lifestyle issues associated with it,” he continues. “He prescribed anti-epileptic medications and educated me on adherence to the treatment.”

With support from our community outreach workers and the medical team in Malakal, he received home visits and attended every follow-up appointment at the clinic, receiving medical care and emotional support.

“Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. With proper treatment, it can usually be well managed,” explains Dr. Georgia Karoutzou, an Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advisor with International Medical Corps. “In low- and middle-income countries where our teams provide support to local communities, our medical and mental health teams are trained in assessing and managing mental, neurological and substance-use conditions in general health facilities.”

His family also played an essential part in his journey. His parents, siblings and extended family members accompanied him to his medical appointments to learn about epilepsy and understand the challenges he faced. They provided constant encouragement and celebrated every small victory. His younger sister, Sarah, became his confidante, learning about epilepsy and attending group support meetings with him. His parents learned to recognize seizure warning signs and accommodate his needs. They never wavered in their belief that he could overcome this challenge.

Six months into his treatment plan, the frequency of his seizures had decreased significantly. He has now been seizure-free for 16 months.

“The joy that my family and I feel now is indescribable, and I am eternally grateful for International Medical Corps,” he says. “Seizures do not need to define one’s life.”

His story inspired hope in his community, encouraging others with epilepsy to seek help and increasing awareness about the condition, thereby reducing the stigma surrounding it. He has become a beacon of resilience, demonstrating that you can overcome challenging health issues with proper medical care and determination.

International Medical Corps is the leading MHPSS provider in South Sudan. We support the Ministry of Health by offering comprehensive healthcare services to conflict-affected populations in five of the country’s 10 states. Our teams provide mental health services in Upper Nile state, including at the Malakal PoC site and other locations, ensuring that easily accessible and non-stigmatizing mental health services are available to all. Learn more about our work in South Sudan and our MHPSS programs around the world.