Impact of advocacy and private foundations in improving treatment of epilepsy in resource limited regions

Abstract

Epilepsy treatment in resource-limited countries faces numerous challenges including limited access to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and social stigma. Advocacy efforts and private foundations play a vital role in addressing these barriers and improving epilepsy care outcomes. Global health projects focusing on clinical care, research, education, and advocacy have emerged to address the significant epilepsy treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These collaborative initiatives aim to develop sustainable solutions, such as enhancing epilepsy care in marginalized communities and implementing strategies to mitigate treatment gaps and improve access to healthcare. The use of primary healthcare personnel to identify epilepsy cases and initiate simple treatment protocols has shown promise in addressing the shortage of specialized medical professionals in developing countries. Advocacy and private foundations focus on educating healthcare providers, increasing public awareness, improving drug availability, and developing cost-effective epilepsy surgery programs. However, challenges remain, including the need for country-specific assessments and the development of comprehensive epilepsy care models that consider the heterogeneity of the disorder and its impact on patients, families, and communities.