WHO Joins Global Efforts to Break Epilepsy Stigma on International Epilepsy Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined the world to celebrate the international epilepsy day by calling for more improved care and putting an end to stigma and discrimination.

The International Epilepsy Day which take place on the 10th of February, is a day in which it aims to educate the wider public about a condition which affects over a million people in the world.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and anyone can develop it at any age but the myths & misconceptions that lead to stigma & discrimination need to be broken.

Although it is not a contagious disease, it is treatable by knowing the facts that can help tackle it.As a body responsible for health matters, WHO calls for sustained and coordinated action to ensure that every person with epilepsy has access to the care and treatment they need, and the opportunity to live free from stigma and discrimination in all parts of the word.

“It is time to highlight epilepsy as a public health imperative, to strongly encourage investment in reducing its burden, and to advocate for actions to address gaps in epilepsy knowledge, care and research”.

However, epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages, around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally and in many parts of the world, people with epilepsy and their families suffer from stigma and discrimination.