Launch of National Epilepsy Day and Awareness Month

National Epilepsy Centre, JPMC along with Epilepsy Association of Pakistan, held a press conference at Port Grand recently. This event marked a unified initiative to launch February 28th as National Epilepsy Day and designate February as National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

The press meet was graced by Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui, the Mayor of Karachi as the Chief Guest, with Nadia Jamil, a celebrated actor and an individual living with epilepsy, as the Guest of Honour.

Dr Zarine Mogal, the president of the Epilepsy Association, highlighted the significance of International Epilepsy Day, celebrated globally on the second Monday of February, and the relevance of earmarking February 28th, the birth anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi Sahib, Pakistan’s most renowned humanitarian who also lived with epilepsy. By recognizing Abdul Sattar Edhi Sahib’s birthday as National Epilepsy Day, the initiative aims to celebrate people with epilepsy, who with resilience and determination can achieve great heights despite epilepsy.

She emphasized the pressing need to continue sustained awareness campaigns about epilepsy, a treatable neurological condition that affects approximately 1% of Pakistan’s population—equivalent to 2.2 million individuals. Dr Zarine Mogal mentioned that the health ministry Govt of Pakistan has been approached for their endorsement as the initiative begins from the city today. She requested every person from all walks of life to join hands to inspire hope, foster understanding, and create a supportive environment for 2.2 million people living with epilepsy in Pakistan.