On 31 August 2026, the MERCOSUR Parliament (PARLASUR) hosted a public hearing in Montevideo, Uruguay, focused on inclusion, access to healthcare and the elimination of stigma in epilepsy.
The hearing marked an important step in a wider regional effort to strengthen political attention to epilepsy across Latin America. Earlier this year, PARLASUR formally recognised Latin American Epilepsy Awareness Week, to be observed each September during the week that includes 9 September, Latin American Epilepsy Day.
The recognition of the Week provides an important platform for raising awareness, but also for encouraging practical action. The 31 August hearing created an opportunity to bring together parliamentarians, people with lived experience, patient organisations, scientific representatives and other stakeholders from across the region to consider how regional commitments can support greater inclusion, improved access to care and stronger action on stigma and discrimination.
The initiative also reflects the wider priorities of the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP), which calls on countries to strengthen policy, services, awareness and action on the social and structural barriers experienced by people with epilepsy.
IB
IBE was represented at the hearing by María Marta Bertone, IBE Community Council Co-Chair, and Alicia Bogacz, Chair of IBE’s Regional Committee for Latin America.
Both have played an important role in supporting the regional advocacy effort, alongside IBE chapters, regional representatives and partner organisations.
Their participation reflects IBE’s broader commitment to ensuring that the experiences and priorities of people with epilepsy, families and caregivers are represented in regional policy discussions and translated into practical action.
The hearing also provided an opportunity to connect the formal recognition of Latin American Epilepsy Awareness Week with the work that still lies ahead. Recognition alone does not remove stigma, improve access to care or strengthen rights. Progress depends on sustained engagement between people with lived experience, civil society, healthcare and scientific communities, policymakers and regional institutions.
Looking ahead to September
The 31 August hearing serves as a bridge between the PARLASUR Declaration and the upcoming Latin American Epilepsy Awareness Week, taking place from 7–11 September 2026, with Latin American Epilepsy Day on 9 September as its focal point.
Throughout the Week, organisations and partners across the region will continue to raise awareness of epilepsy, challenge stigma and misinformation, and promote the rights and needs of people with epilepsy and their families.
IBE will support and amplify these regional activities, helping to build on the momentum created by the PARLASUR Declaration and the 31 August hearing.