Karachi: Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, President of the Epilepsy Foundation Pakistan and a prominent neurophysician, has called on epilepsy specialists to better educate and empower their patients to manage and potentially overcome their condition. This appeal was made as part of her ongoing efforts to improve epilepsy care in Pakistan and other developing countries.

According to Aafia Movement, Dr. Siddiqui emphasized the importance of selecting well-trained physicians for epilepsy treatment and highlighted the availability of practical, cost-effective guidelines that can enhance patient care. She advocated for patient empowerment during treatment, stressing that epilepsy should be viewed as a treatable condition rather than a lifelong disease. Dr. Siddiqui pointed out that proper treatment can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected, enabling them to continue their education and personal lives without major disruptions.

Dr. Siddiqui, alongside Dr. Rashid Jumma, Ambassador for Epilepsy Advocacy, also leads an annual Epilepsy Mini Fellowship aimed at training doctors. The 12th such workshop was recently held at Hamad Medical Centre in Doha, Qatar, from August 9-11, covering fundamental aspects of epilepsy management. The fellowship included contributions from various specialists, both local and international, discussing the latest in epilepsy classification, social and psychological impacts, and advanced diagnostic and treatment options.

The event concluded with a certificate distribution by epilepsy experts Dr. Maria Siddiqui and Dr. Khalid Zaman of Hamad Medical Centre, marking another step forward in global epilepsy education and patient care.