Experts in the field of neurology are set to gather at the Third Annual UAE Epilepsy Congress in Dubai in April.

The congress, which will run on April 4 and 5 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, will be hosted by the Emirati League Against Epilepsy (ELAE), and endorsed by the Commission of Eastern Mediterranean Affairs (Cema) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).

The event is aimed at providing education to healthcare professionals to enhance the overall healthcare standards in the fight against epilepsy of the region.

Renowned international and regional faculty will present topics in clinicalepileptology, which has been put together by the scientific committee.

It will also host the First Joint Emirati Saudi Congress, aimed at enhancing collaboration among the two chapters and it is expected to draw more attendees in the region.

The ELAE is a professional organization of the ILAE for health care providers, scientists and technologists involved in the diagnosis, treatment and research in the field of epilepsy in the UAE. It ensures implementation of standards of epilepsy care and education in UAE as well as promoting the exchange of medical and scientific information related to epilepsy.

Dr Taoufik Alsaadi, president of the UAE chapter of ILAE and the chief of the neurology department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, said: “Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures over time through episodes of disturbed brain activity that are due to abnormal electrical discharges on the brain’s nerve cells. Epileptic brain activity causes changes in attention or behaviour while symptoms vary from person to person.”

While the prevalence figures are not entirely known in the region, matching global statistical figures, local epilepsy doctors believe that up to three per cent, which is more than 120,000, of the general population suffer from epilepsy.

“The latest advancements of research in the field and a broad range of challenging topics facing health care providers will be addressed at this year’s congress and will provide the highest standards in education that aim at tackling epilepsy in all aspects,” concluded Dr Alsaadi. - TradeArabia News Service