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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.

International Epilepsy Day AND Valentine's Day! Monday, February 14, 2022 In 2022 International Epilepsy Day will takes place on Monday, February 14 - a day celebrated in many parts of the world as Valentine's Day! Valentine's Day is a day when it is traditional to show love for one another so let's take this opportunity to show our love for the epilepsy community around the world! To help celebrate the day, we have created a selection of resources that you can use, including posters and graphics for social media. Template files are available so that you can edit these resources and translate them into your own language. If you are a member of a group or organisation and are planning to hold an Epilepsy Day event we would love to hear about it. Share your event information with us and we'll add it to the internationalepilepsyday.org website's calendar of international events. Visit the International Epilepsy Day website

The #50MillionSteps campaign is back!The 50 Million Steps for Epilepsy campaign launched in 2021, with great success. Our target of seeing a step taken for each person living with epilepsy in the world was smashed, with almost 165,000,000 steps achieved!Let's take our awareness raising even further in 2022!!Starting today, Monday, January 10 and ending on International Epilepsy Day – Monday February 14, we’re walking to raise awareness, improve visibility and increase understanding of epilepsy.Your walk could also be an opportunity to raise vital funds for your local or national epilepsy support association! Why not aim to raise $1 for every 1,000 steps you take? You can donate directly to any of the many associations listed on the 50MillionSteps.org website, from across the world.Will you walk with us and add your steps to our grand total?You can add your steps using the Step Counter on the 50MillionSteps.org website homepage.#50MillionSteps for Epilepsy Campaign ToolkitsDownload the 2022 campaign toolkits for resources and tips on taking part:Toolkit for individual advocatesToolkit for IBE ChaptersSpanish language toolkitPlan a #50MillionSteps event in your areaOrganisations and individuals are encouraged to plan events and count their steps together. Share the event details with us and we’ll help promote it!Share photos [...]