Epilepsy Africa News – Issue 24
Chairperson & Editor’s message Dear Reader, It is with excitement that we engage you in this trying time of COVID19 challenges where our work has been slowed down by the pandemic that has hit all African Countries. It is with sadness that we inform you that [...]
Shenaz shares her story of epilepsy and Covid in India
This article has been shared by Shenaz Haveliwala, a person living with epilepsy in India. The COVID-19 outbreak has been a global scare. But, for me, coronavirus became serious only when the lockdown was announced. This mainly meant that I had to have my medicines [...]
Epilepsy Care beyond Covid-19 – a story from Kenya
This article has been shared by Fredrick Beuchi, an epilepsy awareness activist and caregiver in Kenya. My sister wondered why I had taken so long to visit them at home. Now that she knows how to operate a cell phone she would call to ask [...]
Anita Mago’s Covid-19 Story
My heart was racing because of the urgency to get a store of medications which are always hard to afford and rare to find. It all started like something unreal when I first heard about Covid-19. It was so far away in China and it had [...]
Established in 1961, the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) is an international organisation for national epilepsy organisations (IBE chapters) that exists to provide support for a strong global network, encourage the development of new chapters in underserved areas of the world, and to encourage communication and collaboration among all members so as to meet our mission and vision.
Our members are patient/family focused and driven organisations and we work collaboratively with our professional and government partners worldwide.
Our strategic priorities are to ensure that epilepsy is
recognised as a health priority worldwide; that the human and civil rights of people with epilepsy are enhanced and protected wherever they might live; that people with epilepsy are empowered to maximise quality of life; and that research into prevention, treatment, care and consequences of epilepsy are promoted.
We work to achieve these priorities through a range of programs including:
- Public Information and Health Education
- Advocacy
- International Best Practice Exchange
- Helping Build Communities of Care
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What is Epilepsy?
![What is Epilepsy – Icon](https://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-Epilepsy-Icon.png)
Epilepsy is one of the most common serious diseases affecting more than 50 million people globally. There are many difference causes for epilepsy including genetic disposition, head trauma or brain tumour.
![What is Epilepsy – Icon](https://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-Epilepsy-Icon.png)
Epilepsy affects almost every aspect in the life of the person diagnosed with the disease. For many people with epilepsy, the stigma attached to the disease is more difficult to deal with than the disease itself.
![What is Epilepsy – Icon](https://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-Epilepsy-Icon.png)
People with epilepsy have a 3-6 times greater risk of premature death. Many of the deaths from epilepsy could be prevented with appropriate medication and treatment.