National Epilepsy Day today

The Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association will be celebrating National Epilepsy Day today in conjunction with other national epilepsy associations worldwide.

St Valentine has been the patron saint of persons with epilepsy since mediaeval times, having had this condition in life.

Epilepsy is the commonest chronic neurological condition and is known to affect one per cent of the worldwide population. In Malta, an estimated 2,000 persons have this condition.

In the past, when little was understood about this condition, people with epilepsy often faced considerable prejudice. These attitudes are changing both worldwide and locally, the association said.

However, there are still circumstances that limit opportunities in life for persons with epilepsy through fear or lack of knowledge, though today epilepsy can usually be controlled with the correct medical treatment and those affected can lead active, healthy and satisfying lives, the association said.

Between March 18-20, Malta will be hosting the ninth European Conference on Epilepsy and Society at the New Dolmen Hotel, Bugibba, organised by the International Bureau for Epilepsy in conjunction with the Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association, the local chapter of the bureau. The main theme of the congress will be Focusing on Change.

For more information contact Godwin Cachia, godcac@global. net.mt, tel. 2137 0381 or Janet Mifsud, tel. 2340 2845 janet.mifsud@um.edu.mt.

www.epilepsyandsociety.org