SIA Partners contribute to international epilepsy conferences

This month, we highlight two SIA Grant Partners who are helping diagnose, treat, and raise awareness about epilepsy. These organizations are helping people understand that epilepsy is a medical condition that can be treated, and that seizures aren't caused by evil spirits. In addition to working in their communities, they are also contributing to the global conversation about epilepsy by presenting about their experiences.

At the International League Against Epilepsy (ILEA) British Branch conference, Dr Dora Niteka, Director of the Bridge of Solidarity (BoS), presented on their programs for refugees with epilepsy in Uganda. Each quarter, BoS visits the Nakivale Refugee Settlement community with a team of doctors, nurses, translators, and other facilitators to conduct awareness and treatment sessions. During their last visit, they tested 1,000 people with the EEG machine, and are helping those people with epilepsy access anti-seizure medications. They also bring food when visiting the refugee settlement because these medications must be taken with food, and people sometimes skip doses if they don’t have enough to eat.

When Evette from BoS told me this summer about their visits to Nakivale, she said she was pleased that the people now knew the name Bridge of Solidarity and that they are a trusted source of information and care. With the increased visibility also comes pressure: “People see us and expect a big thing, but as BoS is still a small organization, we just give what we can.”

Community Epilepsy Medical Camps in Kenya

Fred Kiserem, Director of Kiserem Epilepsy Foundation in Kenya, took his first trip to Europe this summer. At the International Epilepsy Congress in Portugal, Fred presented on his organization’s SIA-sponsored medical camps, which are day-long community events to raise awareness and test for epilepsy.

The latest event in April was attended by 400 community members who received free epilepsy consultations, any necessary medication, and epilepsy education booklets. (Pictured below)

Fred’s trip to Portugal allowed him to showcase Kiserem Epilepsy’s good work and to network with others doing and funding similar work around the world.

We also congratulate Fred on receiving the Amanda Award from the ROW Foundation, recognizing his work in addressing untreated epilepsy!