Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
NEUROLOGICAL and mental health disorders are rapidly emerging as some of Africa’s most urgent public health challenges.
Experts warn that significant treatment gaps, a shortage of specialist care, and persistent stigma continue to undermine progress across the continent.
These concerns were highlighted at the fourth Africa MENA Brain Week Conference, held recently in Kigali, Rwanda, where regional and international specialists called for immediate action to strengthen brain health systems in Africa, including Zimbabwe.
The gathering brought together leading voices in neurology, psychiatry, neuropsychology, and brain health policy.
Discussions centred on building resilient healthcare systems, expanding diagnostic capacity, and advancing innovative treatment approaches tailored to low- and middle-income countries.
In his keynote presentation, Professor Arif Herekar, president of the Scientific Committee, underscored the scale of the crisis.
He noted that neurological disorders affect an estimated 3,4 billion people worldwide and account for approximately 11 million deaths annually.
“Brain and mental health disorders are the leading contributors to disability worldwide and represent a critical, but under-addressed priority in low- and middle-income countries, including Zimbabwe,” said Professor Herekar.
He said the nation and other countries across Africa are facing a triple burden of rising non-communicable neurological conditions, persistent infectious diseases such as HIV, and socio-economic challenges including poverty and malnutrition, all of which compound brain health risks.
He said mental health conditions affect about one in seven people globally, with the largest treatment gaps recorded in developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa.
“In Africa, including Zimbabwe, the neurological disease burden is largely driven by stroke, epilepsy, central nervous system infections, trauma and perinatal complications.
“Neurological and mental health conditions are affecting millions, yet they remain under-prioritised in many health systems,” he said.
He added that neurological conditions are now the leading cause of disability globally, with Africa experiencing a complex convergence of neurological disease, mental illness and systemic healthcare limitations.
Professor Herekar said epilepsy remains one of the most common and burdensome neurological disorders across the continent, with a significant number of patients failing to access treatment.
“There is a huge treatment gap. Many people with epilepsy are not receiving care due to a combination of stigma, poverty, and long distances to health facilities, a situation that is also evident in countries such as Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said mental health disorders affect a significant proportion of the population, with women disproportionately impacted.
Depression, panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder were identified as the most prevalent conditions, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Professor Herekar said up to 80 percent of people living with epilepsy in Africa are not receiving treatment, resulting in preventable complications and deaths.
“Premature mortality remains high, with people with epilepsy facing significantly increased risk of early death,” he said.
He identified key barriers to treatment as distance to healthcare facilities, financial constraints and challenges associated with medication, factors that continue to affect access to care in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural communities.
Professor Herekar further underscored the growing link between infectious diseases and brain health, particularly the impact of HIV on neurological function.
He said HIV remains a major contributor to neurological disorders in Africa and is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and complications in patients requiring anti-seizure medication.
He also raised concern over severe shortages of specialists across the continent, noting that some regions have as few as one neurosurgeon for every two to five million people, a situation mirrored in many developing countries.
In addition, diagnostic capacity remains limited, with restricted access to essential technologies such as MRI scans and electroencephalograms, particularly in rural areas where most of the population resides.
“Neurodiagnostic capacity is significantly constrained, and this limits early detection and effective management of neurological conditions,” said Professor Herekar.
Despite advances in research and emerging treatment approaches, Professor Herekar stressed that addressing stigma remains critical in improving health outcomes.
“Stigma continues to drive social isolation, poor adherence to treatment and even increased suicide risk among affected individuals,” said Professor Herekar.
He said there is need for stronger community awareness programmes to improve understanding of neurological and mental health conditions and encourage early health-seeking behaviour.
In a previous interview, Epilepsy Support Foundation (ESF) Manicaland provincial chairperson, Mr Ngoni Mutamangira, said sustained investment in healthcare systems, workforce development and public awareness are key to improving outcomes.
“Neurological and mental health conditions are affecting millions, yet they remain under-prioritised in many health systems,” said Mr Mutamangira.
He said epilepsy, one of the most common neurological disorders, continues to place a heavy burden on communities, with many patients failing to access treatment.
“There is a huge treatment gap. Many people with epilepsy are not receiving care due to a combination of stigma, poverty, and long distances to health facilities. This is a reality we also face locally,” he said.
Mr Mutamangira added that there is need for intensified awareness campaigns at community level to dispel myths and encourage early treatment.
