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Full recording of the roundtable, including the interventions by representatives from the Ministries of Health/Missions of Lesotho, Russia and Uruguay can be accessed at https://youtu.be/6hcD9jpMu08
Past, Present, Future – Action to Address Epilepsy
Road to the Resolution and Action Plan
Prof Alla Guekht, ILAE Vice President
Prof Guekht gave a presentation on the progress and major milestones since the launch of the Global Campaign in 1997.
Watch her presentation and learn more about the 2020 Resolution and the Out of Shadows campaign.
Draft Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders
Dr Tarun Dua, Head Brain Health Unit, WHO
Dr Dua provided an overview of the draft Global Action Plan and the process from now to the Executive Board in early 2022 and the World Health Assembly in May 2022. She invited contributions as part of the consultation ending 5 August. Watch her
presentation. Access the draft plan and WHO’s consultation portal.
Francesca Sofia
Hopes for the Coming Decade
Francesca Sofia, IBE President–elect
Francesca gave a heartfelt call for action as she expressed her hopes and the urgent need for improved access to treatment, more investment in research and stronger approaches to address stigma and discrimination. Watch her presentation here.
To learn more about why epilepsy is a public health imperative, read the 2019 WHO/ILAE/IBE report.
Strengthening Access to Services (Global Action Plan Objective 5.1)
Dr Li Shichuo
Founder, China Association Against Epilepsy
Dr Li Shichuo gave an overview of the 2000–2004 project to strengthen access to essential anti–seizure medicines for over 3 million people living in rural China. The project resulted in many millions of people living seizure free. 358 specialist epilepsy centres have now been developed and the project extended to the whole country. Listen to his presentation and read the full project report.
Dr Symon Kariuki
National Epilepsy Coordination Committee, Ministry of Health, Kenya
Dr Kariuki provided a detailed presentation on the importance of national coordination and collaboration to ensure intersectoral action on epilepsy and to provide effective and empowering means for people with epilepsy and their family to engage in designing care pathways. Listen to his presentation and visit the NECC website.
Support and Engagement of People with Epilepsy (Global Action Plan Objective 5.2)
Valentina Khan
Valentina Khan took us on an enlightening journey through the childhood hurdles she had to overcome living with epilepsy and onto her remarkable achievements today. Learn more about the importance of neurophysiology and watch her inspiring presentation.
To learn more about the IBE Golden Light Awards click here.
President of the Philippines League Against Epilepsy (PLAE), Dr Jean Marie Ahorro, provided many examples of how PLAE is reaching out to address stigma and improve care, even during the pandemic. Watch her presentation and visit the PLAE website.
Being allowed to go to school is a fundamental right for all children.
For so many young people with epilepsy stigma, bullying and discrimination prevent this from happening. Dr Roberto Caraballo, Regional Chair for ILAE showed what can happen when teaching and health professionals come together to learn and share knowledge and support children in accessing education and appropriate health care. Watch his presentation on this successful programme in Argentina.
Epilepsy as an Entry Point for Strengthened Care and Treatment for Other Neurological Disorders (Global Action Plan Objective 5.3)
President, Croatian League Against Epilepsy
Dr Zarine Mogal, specialist neurologist from Pakistan, showed what can be achieved through taking a combined community and primary health care approach to strengthening care for epilepsy. She explained how this model can benefit other neurological and synergistic chronic conditions. Watch her presentation and visit the Pakistan National Epilepsy Centre website.
Dr Silvio Basic, State Secretary, Ministry of Health, Croatia outlined the importance of the Global Action Plan for promoting epilepsy treatment. He also highlighted the opportunities it presents to strengthening services for all neurological disorders. Watch his presentation.
Children and Adolescents
The prevalence of different neurological disorders changes across the life course. Dr Jo Wilmshurst, President of ICNA, provided a comprehensive and excellent presentation on the specialized needs of children and adolescents with epilepsy and other neurological disorders including during their transition to adulthood, emphasizing the importance of reflecting these needs appropriately in the Action Plan. See her presentation here.
Visit the International Child Neurology website.
Epilepsy During the COVID–19 Pandemic
Prof Helen Cross
Prof Helen Cross, ILAE President–elect, provided a summary on the outcomes of the work of the ILAE/IBE Task Force on COVID–19, including a position statement in multiple languages on COVID vaccines and epilepsy and a survey of the physical and psychosocial impact of the pandemic on people with epilepsy. Watch her presentation.
Learn more in the ILAE 2020 Annual Report and ILAE COVID webpage.