News

Did you know that the World Health Organisation has launched a 10-year Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders (IGAP)? The IGAP will focus on strengthening the public health approach to epilepsy around the world, with a focus on ensuring access to care and protecting the human rights of people with epilepsy everywhere. At this year’s Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress, we will hear from health care professionals, researchers, policymakers, people with epilepsy and their representatives to discuss how the IGAP can be implemented in the region and the impact that is expected. This will be an important opportunity to learn more about the IGAP and to discuss - together - how we can implement actions in your region to close the treatment and inclusion gaps. This congress is an important event for the region, and we want to ensure that the voice of people with epilepsy is heard throughout. Registration, at a discounted rate for patient advocates, to attend the Congress is now open. There is no cost to attend the IBE Epilepsy and Society Symposium - but registration is required. You can register using the link below. Please note that we have also extended the deadline [...]

We are delighted to announce a call for entries for the art exhibition at AOEC on the theme of "Stigma." The call is open to everyone of any age, including people with epilepsy and their carers, doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. All entries will be included in the online art exhibition as an image gallery featured as part of the virtual 14th AOEC. Entries will automatically go forward to a global competition to mark International Epilepsy Day, which takes place on February 13th, 2023. The theme of International Epilepsy Day 2023 will also focus on the theme of stigma. We look forward to receiving your submissions! Please read entry rules and use the form below to submit your entry. Closing date for entries is Friday, 4th November, 2022. If you have difficulty submitting via the online form below click here to download the entry form. Entry Rules Brain On Fire: Stigma (Sarah Brown) Join us on Saturday, 19th November, for the IBE Epilepsy & Society Symposium as part of the 14th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress programme.

Did you know, that the World Health Organisation has launched a 10-year Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders? This plan will focus on strengthening the public health approach to epilepsy around the world, with a focus on ensuring access to care and protecting the human rights of people with epilepsy everywhere. At this year’s Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress, we will hear from health care professionals, researchers, policy-makers, people with epilepsy and their representatives to discuss how his plan can be implemented in the region, and the impact that is expected. Listen to regional and international experts on epilepsy Learn more about global, regional, and national efforts ongoing to address issues in Access to Care, Social Exclusion, and Stigma for people with epilepsy Share your experience of living with epilepsy in the region Hear from our young Golden Light award winners Meet the new team at IBE and hear about how you can get involved in upcoming projects and activities … and much more … Please Note: All presentations and discussions will be in English and will take place online. AOEC Registration Now Open

With intense grief, Epilepsy Association of Pakistan (ILAE-Pakistan Chapter) and Epilepsy Support Pakistan (IBE-Pakistan full Chapter) announces the sad demise of Prof. Emeritus Hasan Aziz. He passed away peacefully on 14 August 2022. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Ghazala Aziz, two children, four grandchildren and innumerable students mentored by him, serving humanity locally and globally. His distinguished career at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) included several posts, including Professor and Head of Neurology, Director, Chairman Academic Council, and Emeritus Professor. The contributions he made to neurology in Pakistan, and epilepsy in particular, are numerous. It was only through the pioneering and singular efforts of Prof. Aziz that neurology was accepted by local postgraduate examination bodies. By doing so, the specialty became rooted in Pakistan, and locally trained and certified neurologists began fulfilling a desperate need. With the help of a small team of neurologists and volunteers, he helped Pakistan become a prominent player on the international epilepsy map. Read the full tribute to Prof. Aziz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l8GRUE6QC4 The International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA), the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) hosted a webinar on 28 May 2022 to discuss the outcomes of the 75th World Health Assembly and to reaffirm their commitment to continue to work together to achieve all ten of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) targets. Speakers: Dr. Devora Kestel – Director, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization Prof J. Helen Cross – President, International League Against Epilepsy Prof. Jo Wilmshurst – President, International Child Neurology Association Prof. Wolfgang Grisold – President, World Federation of Neurology Dr. Francesca Sofia – President, International Bureau for Epilepsy Moderators: Action Amos (Malawi) and Valentina Kahn (Chile)

Dear Friends, It is with a heavy heart that we, at the IBE, are following the evolution of the military action in Ukraine.  While all our hopes are directed towards the quickest possible resolution, we cannot help but be deeply concerned for all people suffering from medical conditions and those with epilepsy who are in an inconceivably increased danger from this situation.   Together with our partners in the ILAE, we are mobilizing and liaising with NGOs who can arrange for the urgent supply of anti-seizure medications through humanitarian corridors within the territory of Ukraine.   However, it pains us to realize that this will not be enough because many people need assistance locally, which is lacking, while others are crossing borders and fleeing to countries where they do not know where to access the health care they need.    In these darkest of hours, I am comforted by the empathy and solidarity that is spreading across our epilepsy community. I receive messages from people, families and associations who have offered to help in any way they can; many also living with severe epilepsy. These are messages that remind me how much humanity exists in this world.  Please take a look at the joint statement below [...]

On 27 January 2022, at the 150th session of the World Health Organization Executive Board, the draft Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) was adopted. The draft IGAP will be presented to the World Health Assembly for final approval by all Member States in May 2022. The full discussion on IGAP, can be accessed via this link - where you will also hear IBE deliver its statement. You can read our statement here or access our full position paper here. Thank you to the following Executive Board members who were vocal in their support of the IGAP: Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Russian Federation, the Philippines and Tunisia. Other Member States who showed support were: Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya (on behalf of all African member states), Madagascar, Rwanda, Thailand, the UAE, the UK and the USA.

IBE applauds the final draft of the 10 year intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders. The draft - available here - will now be discussed at a meeting of the Executive Board of the World Health Organisation. IBE encourages its chapters and partners to contact their national health ministries to ask for their support of this ambitious plan. Once approved by the Executive Board in late January, it will then only require final ratification by the World Health Assembly in May. We feel this a major opportunity for epilepsy to become a global public health priority in the next ten years, and to provide an example for other neurological disorders to follow. Major challenges such as stigma and discrimination, as well as access to treatment and care, will be addressed by this plan - which is committed to engaging people with epilepsy in its implementation. The IBE Position Statement on the draft iGAP can be found here. If you would like to further support this work and need more information, please contact us.