Campaign Directors and Working Committees

 Background and Project Rationale

 Project Description

 Accomplished Activities Related to the Global Campaign

 Link to the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy

The" Epilepsy: Out of the Shadows" PHILIPPINES will be pursued along the same strategy of the Global Campaign .

This strategy includes two parallel and simultaneous tracks:

1. To raise general awareness and understanding of epilepsy

2. To support the Department of Health in identifying the needs and promoting education, training,
   treatment, services, research and prevention nationally.

The Philippine League Against Epilepsy, Inc. formally launched the "Epilepsy: Out of the Shadows" PHILIPPINES, a national campaign against epilepsy as part of the Global Campaign, last Sept. 8, 2001 during the 1st National Epilepsy Congress.

The "Epilepsy: Out of the Shadows" PHILIPPINES an initiative by the Philippine League Against Epilepsy will be developed within the already existing national health care system in collaboration with the Department of health, with the public and private sectors, relevant non-governmental organizations, patients, families and their caregivers as partners.

I.   Outline

1. The Information Campaign
   Campaign Targets

   1. Public-multimedia campaign
      

   2. Patient's families and caregivers
      

      1. Local epilepsy lay seminars
         

      2. National Lay Symposium
         

      3. Support organization of self-help groups
         

   3. School teachers and employers-lectures/symposium with teachers and employers organization
      
      

2. Declaration of an Epilepsy Awareness Week
   
   

II.   Collaboration with the Department of Health

1. Needs Assessment
   

   1. Availability of health professionals, programs/services that provide care for persons with epilepsy in different regions of the country
      

   2. Availability and affordability of antiepileptic drugs
      

   3. Lack of local statistics in epilepsy
      

   4. Absence of legislation to protect rights of persons with epilepsy
      
      

2. Promoting education, training, treatment
   Education and training of health workers in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy
   

   1. Continuing medical education programs
      

   2. Training of primary care physicians- development of "epilepsy manager"
      

   3. National Epilepsy Congress
      
      

3. Improvement of Health Care Delivery
   

   1. Establish a system of referral in each region for problematic epilepsy cases

      1. Providing secondary level epilepsy care
         

      2. Manpower development
         

   2. Facilitate access to appropriate medical care in the national and international levels
      
      

4. Research and Prevention
   

   1. National Epilepsy Registry Project
      

   2. Collaboration with DOH in national prevention programs related to epilepsy