UTETEZI PROJECT PHASE 2: Making epilepsy a health priority in Africa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pretoria West, Gauteng: The Utetezi Pilot Project,
funded by the BAND Foundation in 2019, provided funding to five African
countries to develop the groundwork to create national epilepsy task forces,
the development and implementation of national epilepsy plans, and the
introduction of educational initiatives to address the recommendations of WHO
Resolution WHA68.20.
The evaluation of the pilot project has provided direction and
opportunities which will be harnessed in phase 2, where we will establish a
communication plan, website and tool kit to share best practices. Phase 2
offers a small grants program to enable IBE chapters to develop plans at the
national level and to work together to develop and disseminate a regional plan
of action.
This project is grounded in the core rallying principle of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development – leaving no one behind. During its
implementation, and in alignment with the commitment to sustainable development
goals of regional governments, effort will be made to identify regional
stakeholders to support the project cause.
This initiative recognises the importance to collaborate with people with
epilepsy if a sustainable intervention is to be attained. In doing so, Epilepsy
in Africa will have new face with the vision of contributing to barrier-free
health systems and the project seeks to do the following;
·
To improve the visibility of epilepsy
initiatives in Africa
·
To strengthen the technical capacity of
regional project management teams
·
To enhance the capacity of epilepsy
organizations to influence health policies
·
To strengthen regional engagement and working
relationship with WHO AFRO, the African Union (AU), ILAE Africa and the Pan
African Parliament (PAP)
“The Project will be governed by a Steering Committee and supported by
two standing committees - Advocacy and Communications. There will also be an External
Advisory Team that will be part of the Steering Committee,” according to a
statement by International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE).
For more information contact;
Isaac Mokoala
Information and Communications Desk
+27 79 099 2970
epilepsy is a condition that has not been receiving a lot of attention, it is therefore encouraging to see that you are trying to promote and empower people with epilepsy through updating and providing information on whats happening. The challenge is that not a lot of people with epilepsy have an online presence, which is something that needs to be taken heed of.
ReplyDeleteThis is much appreciated, please keep us posted on whats happening
ReplyDeletewho should i get in touch with i have a child with epilepsy
ReplyDelete